Fresh twist in Kilkenny wind farm saga amid renewed tensions

As winter approaches, communities in northern Kilkenny, straddling the Laois border, are facing an anxious wait.

The future of the proposed Seskin wind farm, refused planning permission by Kilkenny County Council but since appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála, will hang over them in the months ahead.

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A fresh appeal by Seskin Renewable Energy Limited has reignited tensions in the townlands of Ballynaslee, Seskin, Ballyconra and Moatpark, where many local residents have spent a lot of time and resources opposing the development.

Seskin Renewable Energy Limited describes the proposal as part of Ireland’s clean energy transition.

The company says the site has been identified ‘through feasibility studies over several years’ as suitable for a wind energy project and that it aligns with Government targets to establish Ireland as a carbon neutral country by 2050. 

The development, originally refused by the local authority on September 2, 2025, proposed the construction of six wind turbines with an overall tip height of 175 metres, a rotor blade diameter of 150 metres, and hub height of 100 metres, along with a 38kV substation compound, underground electrical cabling, a 100-metre meteorological mast, two temporary construction compounds, and associated access roads and works.

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A 10-year planning permission and 35-year operational life were being sought.

Kilkenny County Council refused permission on the grounds that the proposed six turbines and substation would cause “excessive levels of adverse effects on residential amenity, including visual intrusion, noise, shadow flicker, and disturbance of access,” that the “proposed grid connection works have not been adequately justified in line with the Government’s Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24)” and that “a significant portion of this site lies within a karst aquifer” where the applicant “has not conclusively demonstrated that the development would not endanger groundwater resources or the environment.”

The ‘No to Seskin Windfarm Laois/Kilkenny’ group has described the proposed development as “completely unsuitable and dangerous.”

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Residents in the affected townlands say they are deeply frustrated that national Wind Energy Guidelines (which date back to 2006) remain under review despite Government commitments to publish updated rules.

The group has organised a public meeting for Friday, October 17, at 8pm in the Castle Arms Hotel, Durrow, to discuss the latest developments.

The appeal from the developer will now be considered by An Coimisiún Pleanála, with a decision expected in February 2026.
Until then, a number of communities in Kilkenny face a long wait (and an uncertain winter) as they await a final ruling.

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