Danish energy company Orsted and Irish renewable energy firm FuturEnergy Ireland have successfully obtained planning approval from An Bord Pleanala for the 121MW Coom Green Energy Park in County Cork. The onshore wind development project, situated near the Bottlehill waste facility, has the potential to generate power for approximately 80,000 homes and reduce carbon emissions by up to 150,000 tonnes annually.
The joint venture, with a 50:50 partnership between Orsted and FuturEnergy Ireland, includes plans for 50MW of energy storage. Following planning approval, the next step for the project is to seek a grid connection from EirGrid. Upon successful confirmation of the project's network route, it can enter future Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) auctions or engage in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
If the final investment decision is positive, Coom Green Energy Park aims to be operational by 2027, contributing significantly to Ireland's pre-2030 emissions reduction targets. The development comes with a community benefit fund of approximately €500,000 for the first 15 years, activated upon the site's operational commencement.
The project is anticipated to stimulate the local economy through rates contributions and employment opportunities. During the construction phase, up to 168 jobs are expected to be created, with an additional 42 long-term positions once the wind farm becomes operational.
TJ Hunter, Orsted's senior director for development and operations in the UK & Ireland, expressed excitement about the project's approval, emphasizing its strategic importance as a considerable investment by Orsted. Mary Lynch, Portfolio director at FuturEnergy Ireland, welcomed the positive planning decision, highlighting the project's role in advancing Ireland's climate action targets and enhancing energy security.
