Planning application submitted for Littleton Wind Farm in Co. Tipperary

SSE and BnM have submitted a planning application to An Coimisiún Pleanála for the proposed 11 turbine Littleton Wind Farm in County Tipperary.

The wind farm would have an installed capacity of 68MW, enough to power the equivalent of up to 44,100 homes annually and displace over 35,000 tonnes of harmful carbon emissions each year^*.

The planning application has been submitted by Littleton Wind Farm DAC, a 50:50 joint venture between co-development partners BnM and SSE Renewables, to An Coimisiún Pleanála for assessment as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). If consented and delivered, Littleton Wind Farm would provide more homegrown, secure and affordable clean energy while supporting jobs and investment in the region.

The proposed wind farm is located on an area of Littleton Bog in Tipperary, near the communities of Gortnahoe, Littleton, New Birmingham and surrounding areas. The infrastructure footprint is expected to cover less than 5% of the development site. The project comprises 11 onshore turbines with a blade tip height of up to 200 metres. A new 110kV substation to connect the wind farm to the electricity grid is also proposed.

The plans submitted propose enhanced local amenities for community use and increased accessibility, including new walking and cycling trails throughout the wind farm site.

Littleton Wind Farm has been designed following a constraint-led design approach and engagement with relevant stakeholders to avoid and minimise potential impacts on the environment. A detailed Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompany the planning submission. Members of the public are encouraged to review the report and share their views as part of the planning process.

The planning application follows an extensive period of consultation since April 2021 with residents and neighbouring communities. Feedback collected helped inform the final proposed design of the wind farm.

Delivery of the project is expected to bring significant long-term economic, environmental and social value to the Tipperary region. During construction, up to 100 jobs would be supported at peak, creating supply chain opportunities for local contractors and service providers.

During operation, Littleton Wind Farm would continue contributing to the local economy through annual commercial rates payments to Tipperary County Council and continued regional expenditure.

A Community Benefit Fund would be established once Littleton Wind Farm enters commercial operations. Payments would be directed to good causes in nearby communities and across the region.

Final delivery of the project is subject to securing planning consent, a route to market, and a final investment decision by the joint venture partners.

Ghislain Demeuldre, Head of Onshore Projects Ireland at SSE Renewables, said:

“Our plans for Littleton Wind Farm have been shaped by meaningful engagement with local communities and detailed environmental assessment. Progressing this planning application reflects our commitment not only to delivering the clean, secure and affordable renewable energy Ireland needs, but also to supporting jobs, local supply chains and investment during construction and operation. Our plans also envisage long term contributions to County Tipperary and to local communities through commercial rates payments and a dedicated community benefit fund once the wind farm is operational.”

Speaking about the project, Brendan Kelly, Head of Commercial, BnM said:

“BnM remains committed to delivering renewable energy while meeting our responsibilities as a landowner and neighbour. Our approach ensures Littleton continues its role in delivering indigenous energy while enabling wind energy, biodiversity, heritage and public amenity to co-exist. This key project will displace imported fossil fuel consumption and support long term energy affordability for customers.”

Members of the public can view and download the planning application and supporting documents including the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) at a dedicated website, www.littletonwindfarmplanning.ie. Copies of the application and all supporting documents can also be viewed at the offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, the offices of Tipperary County Council in Nenagh and Clonmel, and Thurles Library.

Submissions or observations may be made only to An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 in writing or online at www.pleanala.ie during a period of seven weeks commencing 22 June 2026 until 11 August 2026.

Littleton Wind Farm Community Benefits

Should Littleton Wind Farm be consented and delivered, a Community Benefit Fund would be developed during the wind farm’s first year of commercial operation.

In line with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment’s Community Benefit Rulebook (2025), funding will support projects and initiatives to benefit local communities surrounding the wind farm.

The value of the Fund will be linked to the productivity of the wind farm and calculated at €2/MWh. Based on Littleton’s projected output, the fund is expected to deliver multimillion-euro community benefits over the first 15 years.

Locations for Public Viewing of Planning Documents

In addition to accessing planning documents online, copies of the application and all supporting documents can also be viewed free of charge, or purchased on payment of a specified fee (which shall not exceed the reasonable cost of making such a copy) during public opening hours for a period of seven weeks commencing 22 June 2026 until 11 August 2026 at the following office locations:

• The Offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902
• The Offices of Tipperary County Council, Planning Department, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, E45 A099
• The Offices of Tipperary County Council, Planning Section, Civic Offices, Emmet Street, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, E91 N512
• Thurles Library, The Source, Cathedral Street, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, E41 K802

_{^* Quoted 44,100 homes powered based on projected 68MW installed capacity, projected wind load factor of 31%, and based on an average annual Irish household demand of 4.2MWh (4,200kWh). 37,782 tonnes of carbon emissions displaced based on projected annual MWh output (185,204 MWh per annum) and latest average CO2 Emissions (0.204gCO2/kWh) sourced from Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland’s (SEAI) Conversion and Emissions Factors for Publication worksheet 2024.}