WuXi in Dundalk gets go ahead for 80 metre wind turbine

WuXi Biologics Ireland Limited has been given the go ahead for a wind turbine that will be taller than the wind turbine that is at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

The company applied to Louth County Council in September 2023, for planning permission to erect the wind turbine, which would be located at the East area of its existing biopharmaceuticals plant. The proposed wind turbine would be installed with a hub height of 80 metres and a blade radius of 45 metres, with underground ducting connecting to the existing ESB substation.

For context the wind turbine at DkIT, which was installed in 2005, is understood to have a hub height of 60 metres and at a rotor diameter of 52 metres.

A significant number of submissions objecting to the turbine were lodged with Louth County Council, including from St Fursey's National School, for reasons including noise, visual sensitivity, and flicker effect. 

Louth County Council sought further information on the proposed development from WuXi Biologics in November 2023, which was submitted in June of this year. The local authority granted planning permission for the development to go ahead on 18 July, subject to 13 planning conditions.