Why Meenakeeran?
Site selection
When identifying a potential wind farm and battery energy storage site, ABO Energy considers several different factors. These include, but aren’t limited to:
- Planning history;
- Wind resource;
- Grid connection;
- Proximity to dwellings;
- Area of land available;
- Site access;
- Topography;
- Nature conservation designations and ecological impacts;
- Land use designations;
- Location of archaeological and cultural heritage features;
- Safety considerations; and Telecommunications / aviation interests.
About the proposed site
The application site is located approximately 9.5km west of the village of Killeter in the west of County Tyrone. It lies to the north of Tullycar Road, and is accessed from an existing laneway which is an adopted part of Tullycar Road.
The proposed site is predominantly grassland with a number of small watercourses. The most notable are Pollavrick Burn, which runs north to south towards the eastern side of the site and Rushy Burn. The site hinterland is relatively sparsely populated with 10 residential properties within 1km of any proposed turbine location. All dwellings are to the south or southeast of the proposed wind turbines; and there are no dwellings to the west or north of the wind farm. Having considered the combination of factors listed above the following can be outlined for the project:
- The application site has a higher-than-average wind capacity factor.
- There will be future grid connection availability and capacity in the vicinity of the site;
- There are no dwellings located within 500 metres of any proposed turbine;
- There is a substantial area within the lands under applicant control. This has allowed for the avoidance of sensitive areas identified through the baseline surveys already completed whilst still enabling the erection of the proposed wind turbines and associated infrastructure;
- The substantial area within the lands under applicant control, both within the wind farm site and beyond, will allow for a significant area of habitat management, restoration and enhancement;
- The site has good access linkages for delivery of components to the site; and the proposal is an appropriate distance from airports, towns, villages, roads and other infrastructure;
It is also important to note the site has previously been determined to be acceptable for wind farm development, with planning permission being previously granted in 2016 under application J/2008/0240/F.
Considering all these factors, ABO Energy NI believes the proposed site is suitable for a wind farm and battery energy storage project and intends to take forward a planning application in the coming months.