Further Info

In April 2001 Airtricity successfully received planning permission for the construction of a nine turbine, 13.5MW wind farm near Bailieborough, Co. Cavan. Planning permission to construct a tenth turbine on neighbouring land was granted in July 2001 bringing the total planned capacity to 15MW. Local Consultants Gaffney & Cullivan completed the planning application process and has continued its involvement in the project by advising Airtricity to ensure that the best practice methods were implemented both within the contracts and during construction.

Professional ecologists and archaeologists were also retained by Airtricity to advise during planning and the construction phases ensuring ZERO ecological impacts and ZERO pollution outages.

The site and surrounding landscape comprises of rolling drumlin countryside with the site elevation varying between 200m and 240m above mean sea level. The combination of height and wind speed for Gartnaneane suggests an exceptional wind farm.

The remit of Airtricity’s team during the construction of the wind farm was to achieve an accident free project, constructed on time, to the highest possible quality while at all times having ZERO impact on the local environment.  Close co-ordination with the local farmers was also paramount to the successful completion of this project.

Airtricity has looked to invest in the surrounding area through the employment of local sub-contractors for the construction works and will continue this investment through the creation of maintenance and operational jobs locally.

The wind turbines are connected via underground cables to a small substation located on the wind farm.  The cables are then routed to 20KV and 38KV distribution systems connected to the ESB distribution centre at Shercock.