Green light for 121 MW Coom Green Energy Park in County Cork

An Bord Pleanala has granted Orsted and FuturEnergy Ireland, planning approval for the 121 MW onshore wind and 50 MW of energy storage at Coom Green Energy Park located near the Bottlehill waste facility in County Cork, Ireland.

The development initiative represents a collaborative effort, with Orsted and FuturEnergy Ireland sharing a 50:50 joint venture. Following the receipt of planning approval, the next phase involves seeking a grid connection from EirGrid. Pending the successful confirmation of the project's network route, the site can either be entered into upcoming RESS auctions or opt to sell the generated power through CPPAs. Notably, the project includes a community benefit fund totaling around EUR 500,000 (USD 545,570) for the initial 15 years, which will be implemented upon the site's operational commencement. There are aspirations for the Coom Green Energy Park to potentially become operational by 2027.

The project will consist of 16 Vestas V150-6.0 MW wind turbines with a rotor diameter of 150 m and a hub height of 115 m. The turbines will be installed on steel towers and will be connected to the grid via a new 12 km long transmission line. Coom Green Energy Park is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 80,000 homes and displace up to 150,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year.