11.5.1 Current Status and Targets
11.5.1 Current Status and Targets
In line with the Climate Action Plan, this Renewable Energy Strategy aims to enable Kilkenny to generate the equivalent of 100% of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2030, including wind energy. According to the SEAI[1], by the 2030 the electricity demand for County Kilkenny is expected to be 633GWh. The gap to meeting the target through renewable energy is currently 500GWh, equivalent to approximately 48 new 4.2MW turbines, representing 201 MW. Kilkenny currently has approx. 76 MW of installed wind energy, generated by 39 turbines. It is however expected that the renewable energy target will be met by a mix of renewable energies, in which solar will play a significant role (see solar below), thus removing dependence on wind and reducing the number of wind turbines required significantly.
Table 11.2: Approved Wind Farms in Kilkenny |
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Wind Farm name |
Applicant |
Townland |
No. Turbines |
Total output In MW |
Bruckana |
Bord na Mona |
Rathpatrick, Bruckana & Baunmore, Johnstown |
8 |
20 |
Foylature |
Art Generation |
Foylature, Courtstown, Tullaroan |
7 |
12 |
Ballybeagh |
ART Generation Ltd. |
Ballybeagh, Tullaroan |
7 |
13.8 |
Ballymartin Phase 1 |
ART Generation Ltd./Bord Gais Energy |
Ballymartin, Smithstown |
3 |
7 |
Paul Martin |
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Ballymartin Phase 2 |
Bord Gais Energy |
Smithstown, Tullogher |
1 |
9.2 |
ART Generation Ltd. |
3 |
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Rahora |
Ecopowers Developments Ltd. |
Guillkagh More, Brownstown |
5 |
4 |
Lisdowney Community |
Matt Bergin and Thomas McEvoy |
Lisdowney Ballyragget |
|
9.2 |
4 |
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Ballinclare |
Michael Aylward |
Glenmore |
1 |
0.5 |
|
|
Total |
39 |
75.7 |
[1] https://maps.seai.ie/wind/ accessed 8.9.2020