RES is currently consulting on its plans for a proposed wind farm called Carnbuck located in the townlands of Carnbuck, Magheraboy and Moneyneagh, near Corkey, Co. Antrim, adjacent to the existing Gruig Wind Farm.

Carnbuck Wind Farm has been designed to generate reliable, renewable electricity, whilst minimising local impacts and maximising local benefits wherever possible.

The wind farm would be 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.

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The wind farm proposal is for 12 turbines up to 180m in height.

The proposed wind farm would share a site entrance and some infrastructure with Gruig Wind Farm, reducing the environmental footprint and traffic movements.

The layout has been developed in response to feedback from stakeholders and the community along with the results of numerous environmental surveys that have been undertaken.

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.

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As part of the planning process, RES undertakes an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).  The purpose of the EIA is to investigate and alleviate any potential effects of a development on the natural, physical and human environment.  An EIA includes the following assessments:

• Ecology
• Ornithology
• Fisheries
• Hydrology
• Geotechnical
• Landscape and visual
• Archaeology and cultural heritage
• Socioeconomic  

The results of these surveys will be included in the Environmental Statement which will form part of any planning application that is submitted.

Photo: Badger / Shutterstock image (for illustrative purposes only)

We have produced indicative visualisations to help give an impression of what the wind farm could look like from different viewpoints in the area.  Click on the links below to view.

Corkey Village at Reservoir Road junction

Corkey Village at Ballyweeny Road junction

Junction of Ballyweeny and Ballyveely Roads

Omerbane Road near Tullykittagh Road

Skerry West at Omerbane Road junction

Dunloy Village

Killygore Road near A43 at Martinstown

Old Cushendun Road to north of Altnahinch Road

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

ZTV, 15km radius, hub height

Cumulative ZTV, 30km radius

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 to the right.

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.

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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.  For Carnbuck Wind Farm we have undertaken a noise impact assessment in accordance with relevant guidance and in consultation with the local council's Environmental Health Department.

The results from these surveys enables us to gain an understanding of the existing noise environment and feed into the design of the wind farm.  As a result of the existing background noise levels and the distances from surrounding properties, the proposed wind farm will comply with the relevant guidance on wind farm noise.

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.

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.

Turbine deliveries at Castlecraig Wind Farm, near Drumquin, where £3 million inward investment was realised into the local economy.

Wind is a free and inexhaustible resource which has an important role to play as part of a balanced energy mix.

Tackling Climate Change by supporting Northern Ireland's Climate Bill, which has a target of 80% of electricity consumption from renewables sources by 2030.

Can be quick to deploy.

Onshore wind, alongside largescale solar and offshore wind are now the cheapest forms of new electricity generation².

Enables us to generate our own electricity reducing reliance on imports and improving security of supply.

Northern Ireland consumers avoided paying £500 million to import gas last year because wind farms provided nearly 42% of our electricity³.

Bunnyconnellen Wind Farm, Co. Mayo. For illustrative purposes only.

RES has been playing a pivotal role in providing Northern Ireland with renewable energy since the early 1990s.

Working together with businesses based in Northern Ireland our projects contribute to the local economy and utilise our home-grown energy sources.

With the urgent need to escalate decarbonisation, RES remains committed to being part of Northern Ireland's energy future and business growth, through maximising contributions from renewable energy.

Brackagh Wind Farm, Draperstown.  For illustrative purposes only.