Wind Energy Projects

Ecologists at Wetland Surveys Ireland offer substantial ecological expertise within the renewable energy sector having been involved in Environmental Impact Assessment of wind farm projects since 2001. Wind energy is regarded as one of Ireland’s fastest growing renewable energy sources and this trend is expected to continue due to falling costs associated with wind energy and European legislation governing renewable energy. Wind energy has long been recognised as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

To demonstrate our experience in this area a selection of recent projects that we have worked on is presented below.  

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  • Hen Harrier and Curlew Breeding Surveys at Cloghboola Wind Farm, Knocknagoshel, County Kerry. 2019

  • Hen Harrier and Curlew Breeding Surveys at Dromadda Beg Wind Farm, Knocknagoshel, County Kerry. 2019

  • Ecological Clerk of Works during the construction of 10MW onshore wind farm near Knocknagoshel, County Kerry. Dromadda Beg Wind Farm. 2017–2018

  • Breeding bird survey of proposed wind farm site. Survey methods followed SNH (2014) guidelines. 2017

  • Breeding Hen Harrier surveys during  pre-construction phase of wind farm project at four windfarm projects. 2017

  • AA Screening of cable route in isolation. Mauricetown Substation to Dromdeveen Substation. 2016

  • Wintering and breeding  bird surveys of a proposed new build wind farm and its surroundings. Dungarvan Wind Farm. 2016

  • Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports and Natura Impact Statements for various wind farms and associated infrastructure throughout Ireland. 2008-2015

  • Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports and Natura Impact Statements for wind farm grid connections and turbine transport routes for various wind farms throughout Ireland. 2008-2015

  • Bird collision studies at two operating wind farm sites in Counties Mayo and Wexford. 2009-2015

  • Winter bird surveys of three proposed wind farm sites, Counties Cork and Waterford. 2014-2015

  • Desktop review and targeted Kerry Slug surveys carried over a six week period. Prepared survey and assessment report. 2015-2016

  • Appropriate Assessment Screening Report for the a proposed borrow pit in County Kerry. 2015

  • Appropriate Assessment Screening Report and  an assessment of potential impacts on flora and flora from the development of a two turbine extension at Beale Hill Wind Farm, Beale, Co. Kerry. 2015

  • Cloghanleskirt Cable AA Screening. 2015

  • Bird surveys at a proposed new build wind farm at Knockeenboy, Dunmanway, Co. Cork. 2015

  • Planning condition compliance documents for various wind farms in Counties Antrim, Kerry, and Limerick. 2012-2014

  • Ecology chapter of EIS and AA Screening of proposed wind farm project in County Donegal. 2014

  • Ecology chapter of EIS and AA Screening  of proposed wind farm project in County Meath. 2014

  • Natura Impact Statement for proposed amendments to a consented wind farm at Dromadda Beg, Co. Kerry. 2014

  • Detailed assessment of peatland sites in proximity with large scale wind energy project throughout central Ireland. 2013-2014

  • Construction phase ecological monitoring (Ecological Clerk of Works) of wind farm County Limerick. 2012-2013

  • Construction phase ecological monitoring (Ecological Clerk of Works) of wind farm County Antrim. 2014

  • Monitoring the Recovery of Blanket Bog Habitat and Vegetation at Curragh Wind Farm, County Cork. 2009-2014

  • Monitoring bird populations of operating wind farm site in County Mayo. 2009-2014

  • Monitoring bird populations of operating wind farm site in County Sligo. 2009-2014

  • Breeding Hen Harrier surveys of various wind farm sites in North Kerry / South Limerick. 2009-2014

  • Monitoring ecological recovery of Derrybrien peat slide, County Galway. 2004-2014

  • Monitoring construction impacts of 38 kV powerline on Ox Mountains Bogs SAC, County Mayo. 2011

  • Carbon balance study of a proposed wind farm on a peatland site in County Kerry. 2011

  • Monitoring hen harrier use of an operating wind farm site in County Kerry. 2009-2011

  • Baseline Ecological Surveys of extensive upland wind farm site, County Kerry. 2009-2011

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of two proposed wind energy projects, County Wexford. 2009-2011

  • Ecological Impact Statements and Natura Impact Statements for various wind energy projects throughout Ireland. 2009-2011

  • Ecological impact assessment of proposed wind farm projects in County Cork. 2010 

  • Ecological Impact Assessments of two proposed wind energy projects, County Mayo. 2009

  • Ecological Impact Assessments of proposed wind farm site in County Cavan. 2009

  • Compiled habitat management plan for wind farm development, County Clare. 2009

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of burrow pits within wind farm developments in County Kerry and County Galway. 2004-2009

  • Phase 2 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) survey of wind farm site, County Fermanagh. 2008

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of two wind farm sites, County Cork. 2007-2008

  • Ecological Impact Assessment of various wind farm sites throughout Ireland. 2003-2006