Hovione, a specialist integrated CDMO, leader in spray drying and particle engineering, has partnered with Trident Project Engineering, Mainline Group and Aqualicense to coordinate the construction of a wind turbine on land adjacent to the Hovione Cork campus in Loughbeg, Ringaskiddy with the objective of reducing Hovione’s carbon footprint.
You are invited to browse the FAQs below. Please contact us if you have any inquiries to make or wish to discuss the project further. Below you can also download a brochure containing a detailed explanation of the project, as well as information about Hovione as a company.
View BrochureThe objective of this project is the construction of a wind turbine to reduce our need for fossil fuel. Hovione is committed to sustainability and the project is key to reducing carbon emission to help Ireland meets its climate goals. In doing so, the wind turbine will provide a substantial proportion of Hovione’s electrical power requirements, with the capability to produce 14,000 MWh/Year which is the equivalent of heating over 1900 homes for a year. This will be a large step towards a more sustainable future for Hovione in Ireland by replacing the current primary source of energy that is natural gas. The wind turbine will be located in a carpark owned by Hovione.
The proposed turbine will have an output of up to 4.3 megawatts with an overall height of 150m and a rotor diameter of 138m. The turbine will be of a typical three-bladed modern design and will be constructed with the surrounding landscape in mind, using a pale natural colour and matching other turbines in surrounding area. The main features of the development will include:
All opinions surrounding the proposed project are welcome. There will be a second public information meeting held in Ringaskiddy Community Centre on Monday 13th May at 7pm.
All interested in the project are welcome to attend. You can reach us via email or by calling us on our dedicated, toll-free phone line.
A Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment will be carried out by a qualified, competent, and independent person prior to submission of the planning application, the results of which will be made available to the public upon completion of the assessment.
Shadow flicker occurs in the profile of the wind turbine and is the flickering effect caused by the rotation of the turbine's blades. The effect of shadow flicker on surrounding properties will be assessed in the Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment.
A Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment will be carried out by independent and qualified professionals prior to the submission of the planning application, the results of which will be available upon completion of the assessment. Necessary mitigation measures will be established if any impacts are identified.
Cumulatively, with the other turbines in the area there is unlikely to be any large disturbance as they are well distanced from each other. An impact assessment for birds and bats will be carried out by qualified, competent, and independent specialists. The results of this assessment will be made available to the public.
The turbine is planned for an industrial area c. 160m from the closest point on the shore, an intertidal area to the south, separated by roads, treelines and hedgerows. With the employment of suitable mitigation, no significant effects will occur to the waters in Cork Harbour. A full assessment of hydrology and pollutants will be conducted as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report.
The proposed site for the turbine is located to the north of the main Hovione campus, near an overflow carpark in an unoccupied plot.
The turbine will generate power solely for the Hovione Ringaskiddy campus in line with plans to reduce carbon emissions of the plant.
The Enercon E-138-EP3 Wind Turbine is a popular model, with over 600 constructed across the world since the model was launched in 2020. This popularity is due to the versatility of the model, which can withstand a wide array of weather conditions, in conjunction with the production of high energy yields. Additionally, it is optimised for noise control, ensuring a minimal impact on the surrounding area.
The construction of the turbine is still currently in the planning and investigation phase. The necessary Environmental Impact Assessment Report is being conducted and will inform future steps as the project moves forward.
Ecological surveys conducted by qualified, competent and independent specialists are currently underway to assess the potential impacts of the turbine construction and operation. Necessary mitigation plans will be drawn up following the results of these surveys.
There will two open forum discussions held in Ringaskiddy Community Hall, which you should feel free to attend with and questions or concerns you may have regarding the project. Additionally, you can contact us by phone or through email using the details provided above.
Please get in touch with us by phone or through email using the details provided below and we will endeavour to answer any further questions you may have.