SSE has received planning approval to extend the operational life of its Coomatallin wind farm in County Cork, strengthening Ireland’s Business Energy base by securing continued renewable electricity generation from an existing onshore asset until 2046.

Granted by Cork County Council, the approval allows the four-turbine wind farm near Drinagh to operate for a further 20 years without any increase in turbine numbers or changes to turbine size. The site has been generating electricity since 2006 and remains part of Ireland’s onshore wind fleet supporting grid stability and decarbonisation targets.

SSE said the extension enables the wind farm to continue producing enough renewable energy each year to power more than 4,000 homes, contributing to lower carbon emissions while maximising the value of existing infrastructure.

Life extensions of operational assets are increasingly viewed across the Business Energy sector as a cost-effective way to maintain generation capacity while avoiding the delays associated with new developments.

The approval also secures the continuation of the Coomatallin Community Fund, which has distributed almost €290,000 to more than 150 local projects since the wind farm became operational. SSE noted that the consent allows these community contributions, alongside ongoing commercial rates payments, to continue for decades.

Ciaran Maguire, onshore wind O&M general manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, said the decision underlines the long-term role of established wind assets in Ireland’s energy mix.

“Coomatallin Wind Farm has contributed to clean energy production in Ireland for two decades, and with this life extension, it will continue playing its important role in renewable energy production to combat climate change,” he said.

Find out how life extensions are reshaping Ireland’s renewable energy strategy in the full story.

(Photo Credits to SSE)