Cordal

The site for the proposed Cordal Wind Farm is on the county boundary between Cork and Kerry east of Castleisland, Co. Kerry and north west of Ballydesmond, Co. Cork. Planning permission for 21 turbines on the Kerry side of the border was granted by An Bord Pleanála in 1998 and for a further 20 turbines on the Cork side in 2001. Cordal was chosen as the most suitable site for this venture owing to a number of factors:

Wind speed measurements indicate that they are high enough to justify the economic harnessing of the wind for electricity.

The site is well served with roads within the site and from surrounding main roads.

The site is reasonably close to the National Grid at various locations. This is necessary so that electricity can be exported from the wind farm.

The turbines would not be visible from large areas of surrounding countryside and, where visible, it would mostly be a distant view.

Few people live close to the site.

The ecological quality of a large proportion of the area has already been substantially damaged by the presence of monoculture forestry. The operation of the wind farm would not affect the existing animals and plants and would tend instead to benefit the ecology of the area because the wind farm will use only 1-2% of the overall site. The planning process involved discussions with the National Parks and Wildlife Service in relation to how the turbines can co-exist with Hen Harrier hawks which use the site. It also involved close liaison with the Irish Aviation Authority in regard to changes in approach procedures for aircraft using Kerry Airport.

Saorgus Energy Ltd has secured the connection to the electricity network for this project under Gate 2 of the Group Processing Scheme. The exact timescale is not yet clear but as soon as the offer is made by ESB and accepted by Saorgus Energy, construction of this project can commence. This is expected to occur in 2008.