Windfarm refused for Kilconly and Caherlistrane

Shancloon Windfarm was to have 11 turbines

THE Shancloon Windfarm proposed for 380acres on lands in Kilconly and Caherlistrane has been refused planning permission.

The 11-wind turbine development is the first of four SID (Strategic Infrastructure Development) windfarm projects in the North East Galway region that An Coimisiún Pleanála have made a decision on.

Planning for the Shancloon Windfarm was lodged by RWE Renewables in September of 2025. On September 15 last, An Coimisiún Pleanála decided against granting planning permission for the development on two grounds.

It found that the proposed windfarm had the potential to create significant biodiversity loss in the area and have an impact on Cloonbar Bog, as well as peatland ecology and restoration. The second reason for refusal focused on the potential pollution to the hydrogeological and karst landscape of the site area, as well as the possible effects that the windfarm development would have on the Lough Corrib and Shrule Turlough SACs (Special Areas of Conversation). An Coimisiún Pleanála also determined that the reasons for refusing the proposed Shancloon Windfarm aligned with the Climate Action Plan 2025.

Submissions lodged

Local residents, elected representatives, local groups and prescribed bodies made submissions to An Coimisiún Pleanála. Some of the submissions highlighted concerns such as the height and scale of the wind turbines, flooding risks, construction works taking place on bogland, as well as health and safety matters.

An operational lifespan of 30 years was indicated for the Shancloon Windfarm, which had the potential to generate up to 86MW for the national grid. The development was earmarked for the townlands of Beagh, Beagh More, Cloonbar, Cloonweelaun, Cloonnaglasha, Cloonteen, Corillaun, Derrymore, Ironpool, Shancloon, Toberroe and Tonacooleen. Three other large-scale windfarm planning applications in the North East Galway are still with An Coimisiún Pleanála.

A decision on the Laurclavagh Windfarm in Belclare, which has eight wind turbines, is awaited after planning was lodged in March of 2024.

Planning for the 11-wind turbine Clonberne Windfarm was submitted in July of 2024. The Cooloo Windfarm, which has nine wind turbines, in Barnaderg and Moylough, was sent for planning in September of last year.

Other windfarm projects planned in the region include the Derryfada Windfarm development along the Galway-Roscommon border on Bord na Móna-owned bogs in Ahascragh, Ballygar and Ballyforan, as well as the Rooaunalaghta Green Energy Project on the Galway-Mayo border that takes in parts of Headford.