SSE Announces Plans to Repower Wind Farms in West Sligo
SSE has revealed plans to replace and repower two wind farms located in west Sligo, with a public consultation set to begin later this month. The initiative aims to gather community input on the proposed development of a new 100MW onshore wind farm at the site of the existing Kingsmountain and Dunneill wind farms near Dromore West in County Sligo.
SSE Renewables has been operating the 25MW Kingsmountain Wind Farm since 2003 and the 11MW Dunneill Wind Farm since 2010. Over the years, these two wind farms have played a crucial role in supplying renewable energy to homes and businesses across Ireland.
After more than two decades of successful operation, SSE Renewables is now proposing to replace and repower the two aging wind farms with a new project called Crumhach Wind Farm. This development is intended to ensure continued renewable energy generation from the Kingsmountain and Dunneill sites, contributing clean electricity to Ireland’s national grid for years to come.
Under the new plan, the existing wind farms will be replaced with a new facility at the same location as the current sites, as well as on adjacent greenfield land. The proposal includes replacing the 23 turbines currently in use with up to 17 newer and more efficient wind turbines. A new onsite substation will also be constructed, while existing infrastructure such as roads and grid connections will be reused.
If approved, the Crumhach Wind Farm would have an installed capacity of up to 100MW, nearly tripling the current renewable energy output from the site. This expansion is expected to significantly boost the region’s contribution to Ireland’s renewable energy goals.
Economic and Social Benefits
The existing Kingsmountain and Dunneill Wind Farms have provided substantial economic and social benefits to West Sligo over their operational lifetimes, according to SSE. The new Crumhach Wind Farm is anticipated to create up to 100 jobs during peak construction, with between two and three full-time operational roles throughout its lifespan. Additionally, the project is expected to generate significant commercial rates, supporting local infrastructure and services in County Sligo.
The wind farm will also extend the long-standing community benefit fund that has supported local communities in West Sligo for the past 20 years. Since 2004, the existing Kingsmountain and Dunneill Community Benefit Fund has contributed over €650,000 to local groups. The proposed Crumhach development is expected to support a new community benefit fund with annual payments of several hundred thousand euros, marking a significant increase in financial support for the area.
Public Consultation and Next Steps
Ghislain Demeuldre, Ireland Head of Onshore Wind, Solar and Battery Development at SSE Renewables, said: “Through the proposed Crumhach Wind Farm development, SSE is seeking to build on its strong legacy of delivering clean, homegrown energy in County Sligo and to secure vital renewable energy generation at this site well into the future.”
Members of the public are now invited to view the plans for the proposed Crumhach Wind Farm. Public consultation events will take place at the following locations and times:
- Dromore West Community Centre on Wednesday, July 23rd from 2pm to 8pm
- The Old Schoolhouse, Templeboy on Thursday, July 24th from 2pm to 8pm
In addition to in-person events, a virtual consultation, project materials, and an online feedback form will be available on the Crumhach project website sserenewables.com/crumhachwindfarm from Wednesday, July 23rd until Wednesday, September 3rd. Residents can access these materials and submit their feedback online during this period.
SSE Renewables expects to submit a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) in early 2026 through the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) planning process. Subject to securing the necessary planning consent, a commercial route to market, and a final investment decision by SSE, the project could enter construction and be operational by the start of the next decade.
For more information about the project or consultation evenings, interested parties can contact the Community Liaison Team at [email protected].
