Renewable energy partners SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland have received planning approval from Bord Pleanála for their proposed Donegal wind farm in Drumnahough.

The onshore wind development, made up of 12 turbines with a maximum tip height of 167 metres, is in the rural uplands of Donegal, 13 kilometres from Letterkenny.

According to SSE, when operational the Drumnahough Wind Farm will generate up to 60Mw of electricity, enough green energy to power around 40,000 homes and offset almost 40 million kilos of carbon emissions annually.

The project is a 50:50 partnership and involves a total investment of around €60m, with SSE as lead on the construction and operator of the venture.

SSE Renewables project manager Garry Brides said: “Delivery of Drumnahough Wind Farm will help boost Ireland’s energy independence and cut costs for the consumer by providing cheaper, more secure, homegrown energy for consumers.

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“Working with our co-development partners, FuturEnergy Ireland, and the communities in Co Donegal, we look forward to bringing to fruition the positive social and economic benefits that Drumnahough Wind Farm will deliver during its construction and its operational lifetime.”

FuturEnergy portfolio director Mary Lynch added: “Receiving the positive planning determination for Drumnahough Wind Farm from Bord Pleanála is a very strong validation of the high-quality application which was prepared in respect of this opportunity.

“The focus of the joint teams now shifts immediately to the grid and commercialisation modules. From FuturEnergy Ireland’s perspective, it brings us one step closer to achieving our stated ambition of generating 1Gw of renewable electricity by 2030."

FuturEnergy Ireland is a joint venture company owned by Coillte and ESB.