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Wind turbine photo (stock)<\/p>\nLocals urged to have their say at an event this monthWind turbine photo (stock)<\/p>\n
An Irish renewables group is in the ‘early stages of development’ for a new windfarm in North Cork<\/a> – all part of plans to power 730,000 homes each year with green energy.<\/p>\n The proposed location for FuturEnergy Ireland’s new Carker Park is located approximately 9.5km southeast of Charleville<\/a> and 5km north of Doneraile. Here, early site studies and environmental assessments are underway – to be followed by further, more in-depth tests on hydrology, shadow flicker and much more – which will be used in a planning application. Studies are also being held to see if the site would be suitable for other renewable energy technologies, like storage and solar.<\/p>\n This week, the group’s two local Community Liaison Officers, Brendan Twomey and John Lyons, will be raising awareness about the project locally and dropping a newsletter to homes near the site. A spokesperson for FuturEnergy said that the “proposed Carker FuturEnergy Park would come with a substantial community benefit fund, make significant rates contributions to Cork County Council and provide a boost to the local economy during construction due to employment and supply chain opportunities.”<\/p>\n Anyone interested in learning more about the project – or asking any questions – is urged to attend FuturEnergy’s Meet the Team event on Wednesday December 10, 4pm-8pm, at Springfort Hall House Hotel, Mallow. (P51 YP96)<\/p>\n The project website www.carkerfuturenergypark.ie<\/a> has also been launched, which has a digital copy of the first newsletter and will provide future updates. The new windfarm comes as part of FuturEnergy’s plan to generate 1GW of renewable energy by 2030 – enough for 100 Million LED Bulbs – through a range of different green energy projects. They say that these projects, once delivered, will power an estimated 730,000 homes annually.<\/p>\n Cork has long been flagged as a prime spot for harnessing wind energy, with one study claiming the coast from Waterford to Kinsale had more potential for wind-power generation than all of France and Germany combined<\/a>. And last year, we saw this in action, as electricity from Cork and Kerry windfarms covered almost one-third of Ireland’s total energy needs<\/a> in the first 11 months of 2024<\/p>\n In other green energy news, German energy company ILOS Energy recently unveiled plans to develop a \u20ac143million solar farm, also in North Cork.<\/a> The renewables experts are constructing the new 500-acre solar farm in Ballyhea, North Cork<\/a>. The project started in April and has been progressing ahead of schedule with its partner, Soleire Renewables. The 217MW solar farm will produce enough energy to provide 39,000 homes with electricity and will be constructed over the coming year.<\/p>\n