Mountlucas Wind Farm is set to have a generating capacity of 80MW, with construction taking place over 18-24 months and employing up to 30 people during the build.
Bórd na Móna, which has been diversifying its energy portfolio beyond its traditional peat-based business of late, has welcomed the decision by An Bord Pleanála.
The construction of the project is expected to cost in the region of €120m, employing up to 30 people during the peak of the building phase. Once complete, Mountlucas Wind Farm is expected to generate enough electricity to supply the needs of about 45,000 homes, while preventing 125,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases emissions each year.
The company has now applied to EirGrid for the connection of the wind farm to the national grid.
According to Bórd na Móna, Mountlucas Wind Farm will play its role in improving the geographical distribution of wind energy facilities nationally, contributing to a more balanced input of wind energy to the grid.
Commenting on the planning consent, Gabriel D’Arcy, Bórd na Móna chief executive, said: “This is a major milestone on the road to bringing this project to fruition.”
As reported on Siliconrepublic in July, Bórd na Móna had then decided to use its existing cutway bog at Mountlucas, Co Offaly, for the development of the wind farm.
The company has been involved in milled peat production operations at the site since the Fifties. Areas of the site that are still in active peat production will not be affected by the development of the wind farm.
