Borrisbeg Renewable Energy Development
MKO is pleased to have received a grant of permission from An Bord Pleanála for our client Buirios Ltd. The development is for a wind farm comprising 9 no. wind turbines and associated infrastructure, at Borrisbeg and adjacent townlands, in Co. Tipperary. The wind farm will have a generating capacity of 63MW and contribute to achieving the national Climate Action Plan 2024 target of generating 9GW of electricity from onshore wind and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2030.
EU warning on Renewable Energy Directive
The EU has warned the Irish Government that it must enact into national legislation the provisions of the revised Renewable Energy Directive 2023/2413, after it failed to do so by the deadline of the 1st of July of this year. The directive is part of the REPowerEU Plan introduced by the European Commission to phase out fossil fuel imports. It introduces new measures to speed up planning approval for renewable energy developments, including wind and solar farms, along with the necessary infrastructure to supply electricity to the national grid. The directive states that the planning approval process must commence within 45 days of a planning authority receiving a complete application, and that appeals must be processed quickly.
National grid connection application window to be doubled
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has stated that from next year electricity suppliers looking to apply for new connections to the national grid will be able to do so every six months instead of the current period of once a year. Additionally, suppliers of renewable electricity including wind and solar will be able to apply for a grid connection via a formal acknowledgement of their completed planning application in lieu of the current requirement of full planning permission. The Chief Executive of Wind Energy Ireland, Noel Cunniffe, has welcomed the news, as it has been noted that the need for renewable electricity suppliers to have full planning permission has been a cause of delays in obtaining a grid connection and supplying renewable electricity to the national grid.
Galway Bus Connects approved
An Bord Pleanála’s decision to approve Galway’s Bus Connects plan will significantly change the city’s transport network. The project includes 3 km of two-way bus routes, nearly 4 km of new street infrastructure, and 1.2 km of cycle paths, alongside 11 signal-controlled junctions, 19 pedestrian crossings, and reconfiguration of 26 bus stops. This initiative aims to create a central, high-capacity public transport corridor for Galway. The project spans almost 7 km from the University of Galway to Dublin Road, prioritising buses, cyclists, and pedestrians to improve access to key areas such as retail centres, hospitals, and transport hubs. The Board approved the scheme while imposing minimal modifications. The main change condition affects traffic priorities and parking near Galway Courthouse and came at the request of the Court Service in its submission on the scheme.
Local area plans and county development plans
Longford Town (2025-2031)
Submissions open from Friday, 6 September 2024 until 4 pm on Friday, 18 October 2024.
Flemington Balbriggan
Submissions open from Tuesday 10th September 2024 to Tuesday 22nd October 2024.
County Development Plan News
The Monaghan County Development Plan (2025-2031) is open for public consultation from 5th September 2024 – 14th November 2024.