Kilkenny locals 'not notified' about huge windfarm plans near picturesque village

A wind energy project covering roughly 294 hectares is being proposed across a number of townlands in South Kilkenny, but locals in one area have said they have not been told about it. 

Empower Renewables is currently in the planning stages of developing a wind farm that will be situated at the top of Mount Alto in Inistioge. 

The area is located approximately 3km southwest of Inistioge and 10km northeast of Mullinavat and covers Garrandarragh, Ballykenna, Ballyvool, and Bohilla. 

It is not yet known how many turbines are going to be placed there, should planning permission be granted. 

READ NEXT: BREAKING: Shefflin stands down as Kilkenny senior camogie manager

Empower Renewables has been engaging with some local residents on the proposed project by putting community letters through letterboxes. 

The first arrived in March of this year and outlined what the company is and what its plan is. 

"We are committed to developing responsible projects in a way that is good for us, for Ireland, and for local residents," it states.

The letter also outlined how the company has erected an 80 metre meteorological mast to measure the potential wind speeds in the area. 

It is a temporary structure that would remain in place for 18 months. 

The project is nearing its final stages with a planning permission application set to be submitted to Kilkenny County Council by summer of 2026. 

Although the timeline of Empower Renewable's website says community consultations and engagement have taken place, many residents in Inistioge have expressed that they had not been informed about the plans at all. 

A post went up in a Facebook group called "www.Inistioge.ie" in recent weeks stating that a "concerned resident" had asked for the post to go up. 

It says: "To be aware, as you were NOT notified of phase 1 of this Inistioge wind turbine project. We are now in phase 2, and most residents still do not know. All Inistioge residents are stakeholders in this project. This will affect a huge part of the community, who were left unaware of the 'community consultation' phase. Newsletters and information was only delivered to those residents very close to the proposed actual turbines." 

A number of the group members and local residents commented about how they are opposed to the project, had heard nothing about it, and will fight it. 

READ NEXT: Bail denied after man’s alleged threat to ‘take her head off’ - Kilkenny Court

Meanwhile, Empower Renewables has been carrying out environmental assessments which will make up an Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

This report will describe the proposed project and assess the effects it will have on the environment and local community, ensuring any sensitive areas will be protected. 

Monitoring of bat species has also been completed to ensure any bat activity and habitats are protecting during the design process. 

Sound metres have been installed at noise sensitive locations to assess the potential impact that noise from the project could have on the surrounding areas. 

Geotechnical investigations, involving boreholes being drilled, have begun too. 

Engineers will test samples of the soil and rock to understand how strong the ground is and to see how it drains. 

This will allow the company to determine where the best locations for the turbines are. 

In Empower Renewables' first newsletter, it is outlined that there will be a potential annual fund of €270,000 for a Community Benefit fund. 

This will be given to the local community for 15 years. 

€23,000 has been assigned for houses within 1km of the wind turbines, €35,000 has been assigned for houses withing 2km of the turbines, and just under €85,000 has been assigned for local clubs, initiatives, and societies.