Green light for major upgrade of ESB’s oldest wind farm situated in Donegal

The ESB has been granted planning permission to redevelop its oldest wind farm in Ireland, which is situated in Inishowen.

The wind farm, at the Illies situated in the townland of Crockahenny near the Eddie Fullerton Dam, was first constructed in 1998. Now, 28 years on, its ten turbines are nearing the end of their operational lifespan and are set to be decommissioned.

In their place, ESB plans to install two larger, more efficient turbines on the same site. The project will be delivered by Crockahenny Wind Farm Designated Activity Company, an ESB-owned subsidiary, which submitted revised plans after the previously approved turbine model was deemed unsuitable.

The existing turbines, each standing at approximately 66 metres, have a combined capacity of 5 megawatts, enough to supply around 3,000 homes. The replacement turbines will reach a maximum blade tip height of up to 135 metres, more than doubling the height of the current structures and standing roughly three times taller than the Guildhall in Derry.

Donegal County Council has granted permission for the revised development, subject to 22 conditions.

The project includes the construction of new turbine foundations, crane hardstand areas, and assembly zones, along with drainage works, and two extensions to existing access tracks are also planned, allowing construction and maintenance vehicles to safely access the turbines. A new 38kV electrical substation will also be built, replacing the current facility, with power carried via underground cables.

No new site entrance is required, as the development will utilise the existing road network and infrastructure, helping to limit additional environmental impact.

Located on the upper slopes of Crockahenny Hill, the site sits within an increasingly active wind energy corridor in Inishowen. It lies close to several other wind farm developments, including the recently approved Glenard wind farm, which will feature 15 turbines of up to 173 metres in height.

If all permitted and proposed developments in the area proceed, there could be up to 72 turbines within a 10km vicinity, highlighting the region’s growing importance in Ireland’s renewable energy sector.

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Donegal County Council’s approval includes strict conditions covering environmental protection, traffic management, and community engagement. Construction work will be limited to daytime hours, while developers must implement measures to prevent disruption to telecommunications, protect wildlife, and safeguard local infrastructure.

The permission is valid for 25 years from the date the new turbines are commissioned. At the end of that period, the turbines and associated structures must be removed unless further permission is granted.

The redevelopment signals a move towards more efficient wind energy generation, with fewer but significantly more powerful turbines replacing older infrastructure at the ESB’s longest-running wind farm.