EDF Renewables Ireland will hold a public exhibition on its proposed Carrowkeel Wind Farm at Athleague Community Centre on the 27th of February from 2 pm to 7 pm.
Located 14km northwest of Athlone, the project will have a generating capacity of 24 megawatts, enough to power 16,000 homes. If approved, it will feature up to four turbines (185m tip height) and include access tracks, a substation, battery storage, a meteorological mast, and a grid connection to the national electricity grid.
A Community Benefit Fund will be established, supporting local initiatives, similar to EDF Renewables’ projects in Wexford and Kilkenny, which provided nearly €50,000 to local groups last year.
Paul Gallagher, Head of Onshore Technologies at EDF Renewables Ireland, said: “Since 2020, renewable energy projects have cut electricity bills by an average of €320 per person. The more renewable energy projects we can deliver, the more we can drive down bills.”
He added: “We’re committed to being good neighbours in the communities around all our projects, and public consultation is a crucial part of that.”
According to EDF Renewables, Wind farms in Roscommon have already saved over 126,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, invested over €200,000 in community funds, and contributed €1.75m in commercial rates.
The project was first announced in November 2023. Following this third round of public consultation with the local community, the project team intends to submit a planning application and an Environmental Impact Assessment Report in support of the project to Roscommon County Council in the summer of 2025.
The exhibition will provide details on environmental studies, project timelines, and visual impact assessments. No registration is required, and all are welcome. A virtual exhibition will also be available at www.edf-re.ie/our-sites/carrowkeel.
