A planning application for an amended scheme accompanied by a supporting Environmental Statement was submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council in support of the amendment of Cam Burn Wind Farm on the 4th of November 2022.
The proposed amendments aim to reduce turbine numbers from six to four, whilst increasing the maximum tip height of the turbines to 150m. The dimensions of the considered turbines fall within the following range:
When operational, the proposed development will be capable of producing between 14.4MW and 17.04MW of electricity dependant on final turbine selection. Due to advancements in technology since the original consent was granted, the amended development will result in a more efficient wind farm delivering more renewable energy to consumers in NI over a smaller footprint.
The wind farm will provide sufficient energy from renewable sources to power between 17,540 and 19,446 homes and will contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions by between 22,812 and 25,680 tonnes per annum. This contribution is essential in helping to achieve Northern Ireland’s renewable energy target of 80% by 2030.
The project represents a substantial economic investment. The project will see a total of between £33.7m and £34.9m of expenditure retained in the Northern Ireland economy. Business rates payable for Cam Burn Wind Farm will equate to between £164k - £194k per annum, and will contribute between £1.3 and £1.5m across the 35-year project life which will be re-invested into the local community through a Community Benefit Initiative.
The site is located approximately 2km northeast of Ringsend, 6km Northwest of Garvagh, and 10km southwest of Coleraine in County Londonderry.
The local population includes the small settlements of Garvagh, Ballerin, and Ringsend, and there are several single dwellings and farmsteads scattered across the countryside. The site is relatively undulating with areas to the east of the site sloping down towards the River Bann Valley and areas to the west rising towards the summits of Keady Mountain and Temain Hill. The average altitude of the site is approximately 90 m Above Sea Level (ASL).
The Cam Burn Wind Farm was originally consented in December 2016 for six wind turbines up to 120.5m tip height delivering 13.8MW of renewable electricity. ABO Energy Northern Ireland Ltd. are now proposing amendments to the development. These amendments will consist of decreasing turbine numbers from six down to four, whilst increasing the tip height up to 150m. A range of turbines are being proposed for the site up to a maximum rotor diameter of 117m. The meteorological monitoring mast associated with the project is also being increased from 80m to 100m in height. The amended scheme will have an installed capacity of between 14.4 and 17.04MW, depending on final turbine selection.
The proposal is being developed alongside a period of Environmental Impact Assessment, including a period of public consultation and discussions with local representatives, culminating in the submission of a planning application due to be submitted in September 2022 accompanied by the updated Environmental Assessments.
This project supports National and EU objectives for promoting renewable energy development and achieving the Northern Ireland target of 80% of electricity supply to be generated from renewable sources by 2030. With a maximum installed capacity of 17.04MW, the Cam Burn Wind Farm proposal could generate enough renewable electricity to supply up to 19,446 homes and reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25,680 tonnes.
Additionally, ABO Energy Northern Ireland Ltd is dedicated to ensuring that its wind farms contribute directly to local communities, therefore a Community Fund would be established for the entire lifetime of the wind farm development.
If you are interested in any further information or would like to speak to us about the proposal, please contact Caelan McNickle at:
ABO Energy Northern Ireland Ltd.
Unit 1 Wallace Studios
Wallace Avenue
Lisburn
BT27 4AE
Phone: +44 (0) 28 9099 6445
Email: ni(at)aboenergy.com
