Public Information Event

Planning permission is being sought from Wexford County Council by Ballywater Windfarm Ltd to extend the operational period of the existing Ballywater Wind Farm for an additional 10 years to 2035, upon the expiry of its current planning permission in June 2025

Details and Implications

Ballywater Wind Farm seeks an Extension of Life, adhering to existing planning conditions (Pl. Ref. 2001/0458). With turbines operational since 2005, the application aims to extend their lifespan by 10 years. The project, not classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development, falls under Wexford County Council's jurisdiction.

No modifications to the existing infrastructure are proposed.

Project team

CGNEE IL, parent company of Ballywater Windfarm Ltd, operates wind farms across Europe since 2014, with a total capacity of 422 MW. Headquarters in France, with office in Dublin, Ireland.

MKO, Ireland's leading consultancy, working for Ballywater since 2022, delivers challenging and complex projects in planning and environmental assessments. Blackstaff Ecology has been conducting crucial ecological surveys for the project.

Together, both MKO and Blackstaff Ecology drive Ballywater's sustainable expansion, emphasising community support and environmental protection.

Site Considerations

For the Extension of Life application, rigorous design processes weren't necessary as it aims to extend the existing wind farm's lifespan. However, on-site visits were conducted by the project team to identify constraints and unmapped features.

Surveys include:

Ecological
Ornithological
Hydrological and geological
Archeological
Environmental

These surveys will help to identify sensitive ecological receptors, archaeological features, and below-ground elements, enabling mitigation measures to address potential adverse impacts from the existing wind farm.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The planning application for the Extension of Life will be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The report will be accessible to the public and it will compromise 17 chapters.

MKO are compiling the EIAR with the input of several other
specialist consultants, including:
• Hydro-Environmental Services (Land, Soils and Geology & Water)
• Tobar Archaeological Services (Cultural Heritage)
• AWN Ltd (Noise and Vibration)
• Blackstaff Ecology (Biodiversity and Birds)

Habitats and Biodiversity

Ballywater Wind Farm is located immediately adjacent to the Cahore Marshes SPA, and the study area includes several different habitat types, each of which can support various protected and priority species. The turbines stand in farmland used for grazing or crops.

The marsh extends alongside fields, scrub areas, and sand dunes leading to the Irish Sea.

The habitats includes:

Grassland
Sand Dunes
Hedgerows
Scrub and Woodland
Marsh

Project Development: Next Steps

Upon completion of the EIAR, it is intended to submit the planning application to Wexford County Council in the coming months.

The planning application will include:
• Application Forms and Public Notices
• Planning Drawings
• Environmental Impact Assessment Report
• Natura Impact Statement

Ballywater Windfarm Ltd is currently undertaking a programme of community engagement activities to ensure the members of the local community are kept fully informed of developments regarding the application for an Extension of Life, and to afford residents the opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns they may have.

For a more in-depth look at Ballywater Wind farm, you can click into our Information Gallery below to explore further about habitat types surrounding the area, community benefit fund, types of benefits that Ballywater brings and more.

Information Gallery