Public information events on new West Offaly windfarm plan
BnM and SSE are inviting community members to attend a series of community engagement events to view the latest plans for a proposed wind farm on Bellair North and Bellair South Bogs on the border of Offaly and Westmeath.
Bellair Wind Farm is a proposed 80-90MW project being co-developed by partners BnM and SSE on BnM bogs near to Ballinahown, Ballycumber, Castledaly, Moate and Tubber.
The developers say the project “builds on the area's long tradition of energy generation, harnessing wind resources to provide homes and businesses with renewable electricity while supporting economic activity in the region”.
Bellair Wind Farm’s latest plans comprise 12 wind turbines with an overall maximum tip height of 220 metres.
In a statement, BnM and SSE said: “The Bellair proposals have been informed by a constraint-led design approach and engagement with stakeholders to minimise and avoid potential impacts on the environment. The project design including new draft layout has also been informed by extensive environmental studies and on-site surveys.”
The upcoming events will take place at community locations in Moate, Ballinahown and Ballycumber.
The events will be held across three days, from Tuesday, September 8, to Thursday, September 10, and are the latest engagement sessions for the project following an initial round of public consultation held in mid-2025.
In addition to providing an opportunity to view the latest draft layout, ask questions and share views, the events will also give members of the public an opportunity to share ideas for a draft amenity plan which will be developed for the wind farm.
BnM and SSE expect to submit a final planning application for the development to An Coimisiún Pleanála in 2027.
Paul Bonar, Bellair Wind Farm Project Manager at SSE Renewables, said: “We want to hear local views, and the feedback received during this consultation will help inform the final design, construction and operation of the proposed wind farm.”
Karina Dennigan, BnM Community Relations and Advocacy Manager, said: “BnM and SSE are focused on delivering 800 MW of wind energy to support Ireland’s energy security. Community feedback is essential to ensuring Bellair Wind Farm is developed in a way that contributes positively to local communities and economies, while supporting Ireland’s transition to a resilient, low-carbon energy system and the goals of the National Development Plan. The project team will be on hand to discuss queries and provide further information.”
The Bellair Wind Farm Community Engagement Events will take place at the following locations from 5pm to 8.30pm each day: Tuesday, September 8 – The Carmelite Centre, The Newtown, Moate, N37 AW24 Wednesday, September 9 – Ballinahown Community Hall, Ballinahown, N37 D768 Thursday, September 10 – Ballycumber Community Centre, Moorock, Ballycumber R35 T1H5.
Members of the Bellair Wind Farm team will be on hand at each event to answer questions and provide further information on the proposed development and the consultation process.
The windfarm development is being strongly opposed by the Bellair Bog Community Group, which is highlighting the project's visual impact on Bellair Hill, adjacent to the windfarm site.
The Bellair Bog group also noted a planning application has already been submitted earlier this year for the 15-turbine Lemanaghan Wind Farm, to the south of Bellair bog, meaning if both projects went ahead it would result in 27 new wind turbines being erected in and around the area.
For more information about Bellair Wind Farm or the Community Engagement Events, community members can contact Community Liaison Specialist Enda on 087 057 9141 or email info@bellairwindfarm.ie.
Further information on the project can also be found at bellairwindfarm.ie.