How many turbines are being proposed? What tip height and type of turbine is being proposed (make/model)? Currently there are up to 10 no. turbines proposed in the development. We are at a very early stage of the development and have commenced some surveys, the results of these surveys can have an impact on the number of turbines and their positions. We are currently designing the site to cater for a turbine with a ground to blade tip height of up to 185m. The turbines will be 3-blade horizontal axis, geared to ensure the rotors of all turbines always rotate in the same direction. Modern wind turbines from the main turbine manufacturers have evolved to share a common appearance finished in a grey matt colour, with only minor cosmetic differences differentiating one from another. The final turbine selection will only happen at a much later stage.

Do the turbines rotate to match wind direction?  Yes, all wind turbines are designed to face into the wind and rotate in the same direction.

When are detailed shadow flicker surveys to be conducted, who is going to be affected by the shadow flicker?  Detailed shadow flicker surveys are carried out during the first year of commercial operation of the turbines. A shadow flicker study will be included as part of the planning application documentation and that will provide predicted shadow flicker levels at neighbouring properties together with proposals to mitigate shadow flicker where necessary.

What will be the orientation of the turbines?  The turbines will generally face into the wind and therefore their orientation will vary depending on wind direction.

Can you provide details of the shadow flicker surveys i.e., what do they entail (sun orientation etc.)?  The shadow flicker survey involves an independent professional visiting the site and reviewing the operation of the turbines to verify that the predicted model is accurate, to ensure that the development is operating in compliance with the permission granted. A report on the shadow flicker assessment is then provided to the Local Authority for their approval.  

Is the setback distance 4 times the tip height?

Yes, we intend to achieve a minimum setback distance of 4 times turbine tip height to all third-party properties, however, this setback distance can be reduced for properties involved in the development subject to a minimum setback of 500 metres from any relevant property.

What is the distance to the nearest dwelling?

This cannot be determined until the turbine positions are finalised, this in turn will be informed by the iterative design process which is on-going and is at an early stage.

Is this distance measured from the column, or from the tip of the horizontal extended blade? i.e., the nearest possible point. The distance is measured from the turbine towers.

Is there noise from turbines and will the noise affect children with ADHD?

Turbines do emit noise; we are not aware of any issues in relation to children with ADHD. A detailed noise study will be included as part of the planning application documentation.

Will house prices be affected by the wind farm?

A recent study in Scotland, a country of a similar size and a similar scale wind industry to Ireland, found no evidence of a negative impact on property prices.

Will the turbines have a negative visual impact on our property?

A detailed Landscape and Visual Assessment will be included as part of the planning application documentation, this will include a section on residential visual amenity.

What stage is the development at?

We are still at an early stage of the development. Environmental surveys are ongoing and will continue into 2023. The findings of these survey will feed into the final development layout and will inform the detailed documentation that will accompany the planning application. The planning application will most likely be ready for submission in early 2024.

What authority is the planning application submitted to?

This will depend on the final layout and generating potential of the proposed development. If a wind energy development has the potential to generate greater than 50MW of electricity, it will be considered to be a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). The Study Area has an estimated capacity for up to 9 wind turbines which, based on current available technology, could each have generating capacity in the 5-7 MW range. The proposed development may therefore have the capacity to generate greater than 50 MW of renewable electricity and in turn it  is likely to be considered Strategic Infrastructure Development, which means that the planning application will most likely be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála. However, if the scale of the project was to be reduced to less than 50MW, the planning application would then be directed to Galway County Council.

Can you provide a link to the planning application?

When the project has been submitted to the relevant authority, we will provide a link the planning application file on the dedicated project website.

Is the EIAR available?

The EIAR will be available once the planning application has been submitted.

How do you identify community groups to which to include in the community benefit scheme?

Renewable energy projects which are developed under the current Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) will have a significant community benefit fund associated with them. The contribution for wind energy is currently set at €2/MWhr.

Should the Proposed Development be developed under RESS, it would attract a community contribution in the region of approx. €330,000/year for the local community. The value of this fund would be directly proportional to the electricity generated by the wind farm. Under current T&C’s of RESS, the following would be required for Gannow Wind Farm:

• Direct payments – to those living closest to the Wind Farm Site. A minimum €1,000 payment per annum for houses within 1km of the Proposed Development.
• Energy Efficiency – Up to €130,000/year would be available for the development of energy initiatives to benefit people living in the local area. This is to be provided to not-for-profit community enterprises.
• Support for local groups – Up to €130,000/year would be available for local groups, clubs and not for profit organisations that provide services in the local area. This would include services for the elderly, local community buildings, and the development of sporting facilities & community amenities such as all-weather playing pitches, walkways, playgrounds, etc.
• Administration costs – a maximum of 10% of this fund to be made available for the administration and governance costs of the fund.

The Community Benefit Fund belongs to the local community. The premise of the fund is that it should be used to bring about significant, positive change in the local area. To make this happen, our first task will be to form a benefit fund development working group that which will include representatives from both the close neighbours to the project as well as the local community. This group will then work on designing the governance and structure of a community entity that would administer the Community Benefit Fund.

Further details of the RESS community benefit fund structure can be found in the following link:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5f12f-community-projects-and-benefit-funds-ress/

If planning application is successful, when will works begin?  Typically, it can take one to two years to get a consented project to the construction phase.

What is the timeline for the construction of the wind farm?

The expected timeline for construction of the wind farm would be 12 -18 months.