SSE Renewables has been granted planning permission by Wexford County Council to extend the operational life of its Richfield Wind Farm, located near Bridgetown in County Wexford, for an additional 20 years.

The consent allows SSE Renewables to continue generating clean, green energy at the 27MW, 18-turbine wind farm, which has been operational for the past two decades. The extension also ensures the continuation of the wind farm's established community fund and ongoing commercial rate payments to the local authority, providing sustained support to the local community and economy.

Since its original planning consent was granted in 2005, Richfield Wind Farm has played a significant role in Ireland's renewable energy production. Each year, the wind farm generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of up to 18,000 homes, offsetting nearly 22,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

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SSE Renewables emphasised that the life extension consent pertains only to the continued operation of the existing wind farm and does not involve any increase in the number or size of the turbines on the site. The company attributed the possibility of extending the lifespan to consistent and comprehensive operational maintenance carried out over the years.

Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, welcomed the decision: "Richfield Wind Farm has contributed to clean energy production in Ireland for nearly two decades, and with this life extension, it has the potential to continue to support the country in achieving its ambitious climate targets. Importantly, due to this consent from Wexford County Council, we can continue to provide direct benefits to the local community for many more years to come through our long-standing Community Benefit Fund as well as financial support to the provision of local services through ongoing commercial rates payments to the local authority."

As part of the planning process, SSE Renewables held a public information event in Kilmore Quay in June 2024 to provide details of their plans to the local community. Information was shared regarding the continued operation of the wind farm’s Community Fund, which has awarded over €400,000 to 266 community groups in the vicinity since its launch in 2007, including almost €34,000 in the last year alone.

In a separate development, SSE Renewables is also progressing plans for a 21MWp solar farm on a 44-hectare site adjacent to the Richfield Wind Farm in the townlands of Hooks/Yoletown and Kilcowan. Planning permission for this solar project was granted in the summer of 2024.