SSE has submitted a planning application to triple capacity at onshore windfarm  site in County Sligo, Ireland.

After more than two decades of operation, it wants to redevelop Kingsmountain and Dunneill wind farms with the proposed Crumhach Wind Farm project, which will also include additional development on adjacent greenfield lands.

If consented and constructed as proposed, Crumhach Wind Farm would replace the existing wind farms with a new development with an installed capacity of up to 102MW, almost tripling the existing renewable energy capacity at the site.

The development would comprise up to 17 modern wind turbines, replacing the 23 turbines currently in operation, and a new 110kV onsite substation.

The project would connect to Ireland’s national grid through the existing grid connection at the Cunghill 110kV substation, south-east of the site, as well as via a new grid connection route to the Srananagh 220kV substation in East Sligo. A separate planning application will be brought forward in due course for this new grid connection route.

Delivery of Crumhach Wind Farm could support up to 100 jobs at peak construction.

Ghislain Demeuldre, Ireland head of onshore wind, solar and battery development at SSE Renewables, said: “Our plans for the proposed Crumhach Wind Farm represent the next generation of wind power in West Sligo, building on more than two decades of delivering clean, homegrown electricity from Kingsmountain and Dunneill.

“By redeveloping these two sites with a new single wind farm capable of generating almost triple the existing renewable energy capacity at the site, we can ensure that Sligo continues to play a vital role in Ireland’s renewable energy future.

“Projects like Crumhach are critical to strengthening energy security and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels in an increasingly uncertain world. If approved, we are committed to ensuring the project continues our strong track record of supporting local jobs, investment and long-term community benefit in Sligo.”

Final delivery of the project would be subject to SSE securing planning consent for the wind farm as well as a separate consent for a new grid connection route, a commercial route to market, and a final investment decision.