This page is accessible on desktop and most mobile devices. For the best user experience, we recommend viewing from a desktop device. Information may not appear fully on some mobile devices. You can download the exhibition pack here or hard copies are available by contacting 028 2844 0594 or emailing fiona.stevens@res-group.com.
Online Public Exhibition
RES believes in meaningful and effective consultation and we aim to engage early with the local community and key stakeholders to facilitate constructive consultation. This helps to identify issues and concerns, as well as benefits and opportunities, which we can then consider when developing a project.
As part of our community engagement on the proposed Carnbuck Wind Farm, we held an online exhibition to inform people about the project and gather feedback. The event was launched on Thursday 31st March 2022 and the closing date for comments to RES on the proposal was Friday 22 April 2022. The video below provided an introduction to the online exhibition and consultation.
About the Project
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Located in the townlands of Carnbuck, Magheraboy and Moneyneagh, near Corkey, Co. Antrim, adjacent to the existing Gruig Wind Farm. Environmental and technical surveys are underway, in addition to consultation with statutory bodies, organisations and the local community. Results of the site surveys and feedback received through our consultation process, will be used to inform the detailed design of the proposed wind farm and will be reported in the Environmental Statement which will accompany any planning submission. |
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Designed to generate reliable, renewable electricity, whilst minimising local impacts and maximising local benefits wherever possible. Capable of generating around 50 megawatts (MW) of clean, green, low-cost renewable electricity. Equivalent to the electricity usage of around 55,0001 homes each year. |
Design Layout and Infrastructure
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The plan in the middle shows the preliminary layout of the proposed twelve turbines at Carnbuck Wind Farm, which have a maximum tip height of 180m. RES is currently consulting on this layout and as such it is subject to change. The proposed wind farm would share a site entrance and some infrastructure with Gruig Wind Farm, reducing the environmental footprint and traffic movements. |
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The layout has been developed in response to the results of numerous environmental surveys that have been undertaken at the site so far. The surveys help us to build up a picture of sensitive features on and around the site, which we then take account of in the design of the layout. In addition to high-level necessities such as good wind-speeds, we have considered a number of site-specific features and buffers. These include turbines being located more than 1km from nearest properties, 50m from major watercourses and 10m from minor watercourses, and avoidance of areas of ecological interest and prominent hilltops. |
Environmental Considerations
| An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is being undertaken to investigate any significant potential effects of the development on the environment and, where applicable, identify mitigation measures to eliminate or reduce potential effects. |  |
The EIA will include assessment of the following: • Ecology and Ornithology • Hydrology • Landscape and Visual • Archaeology and Cultural Heritage • Traffic and Transport • Socio-economics • Noise • Shadow Flicker |
Supply Chain Opportunities
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RES has a strong track-record of working closely with the local supply chain around its projects and maximising inward investment opportunities wherever possible. Carnbuck Wind Farm has the potential to deliver approximately £3.3 million to the local area in the form of jobs, employment, and the use of local services. RES is keen to hear from local businesses who are interested in learning more about the opportunities associated with the construction and operation of this project. Please contact us for more information. |
Damien Keenan (P. Keenan & Sons) with Fergal Duffy (RES Construction Manager) and Noel Breslin (RES Construction Site Manager) during the construction of Altaveeden Wind Farm |
During the construction of Castlecraig Wind Farm, near Drumquin, over £3 million inward investment was realised into the local economy. The wind farm construction also provided employment for around 50 local people. The construction of Altaveeden Wind Farm, near Loughguile was an economic success for local area, with £1.3 million invested directly into Co. Antrim with £772,000 of this spent within 5 miles of the site. A number of local contractors were used including P. Keenan and Sons, F.P. McCann and William and Henry Alexander (Civil Engineering) Limited |
What Would the Wind Farm Look Like?
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We have produced indicative visualisations and wirelines to help give an impression of what the wind farm could look like from different viewpoints in the area (based on the preliminary 12 turbine layout). Click on the links to view. Corkey Village at Reservoir Road Junction Corkey Village at Ballyweeny Road Junction |
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Dunloy Village We have also produced indicative Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV) Maps showing where the turbines could be visible from. Please note that this is based on bare land form without taking into account any screening effects of trees and buildings. ZTV, 15km radius, blade tip height |
Traffic and Transport
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Access is one of the key considerations when selecting a potential wind farm site, particularly with regard to the turbine deliveries. The preferred access point and turbine delivery route are shown on the map in the middle. |
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A transport assessment will be undertaken as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process and, if the wind farm is given consent, a detailed Traffic Management Plan will be agreed with the highways authorities and the police, and in consultation with the local community. Wherever reasonably practicable we will use materials available on site and source construction materials locally in order to help reduce traffic movements. |
Noise
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Wind farm noise in many circumstances may be inaudible or effectively ‘masked’ by the background noise already present in the surrounding environment. We take care to ensure noise levels from wind turbines are within recommended limits and comply with planning policy. |
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We are undertaking background noise surveys to enable us to gain an understanding of the existing noise environment and this will be fed into the design of the wind farm. A noise impact assessment will be produced, in accordance with relevant guidance and in consultation with the local authority Environmental Health Department. This will ensure the proposed wind farm will comply with the relevant guidance on wind farm noise. |
Why Wind?
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Urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. Tackling Climate Change by supporting Northern Ireland’s Climate Bill, which has a target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2030. Enables us to generate our own electricity reducing reliance on imports. |
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Increases security of supply. Renewable energy at lowest cost to the consumer2. Free and inexhaustible resource which has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix.
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1 The homes figure has been calculated by taking the predicted annual electricity generation of the site (based on RES assessments Carnbuck has a predicted capacity factor of 46.75%) and dividing this by the annual average electricity figures from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that the annual UK average domestic household consumption is 3,748 kWh (Dec 2021).
2 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6556027d046ed400148b99fe/electricity-generation-costs-2023.pdf