Liaison officer to work with Mid Ulster landowners on renewables connection project

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) has appointed an Agricultural Liaison Officer to work with landowners and the farming community on projects across Northern Ireland, including the proposed Brockaghboy Renewables Connection Project, which would see an overhead transmission line link the Brockaghboy

Windfarm, outside Garvagh, to an approved substation at Rasharkin.

A planning application for the project has been submitted to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council & Mid Ulster Council. If approved, the scheme which is of strategic importance in Northern Ireland will allow renewable energy produced at Brockaghboy Windfarm to be used in homes and businesses across Northern Ireland; reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuels.

To help navigate landowners through the various stages of the project, SONI has appointed Fergal Keenan as an Agricultural Liaison officer. Fergal, a dairy farmer

from Gortin (County Tyrone), has more than 20 years’ experience as a landowner liaison. Before joining SONI, Fergal was with Wind NI, working with landowners on

the siting of medium sized wind turbines. Before that, he worked for Bord Gais, on the largest ever pipeline project carried out in Northern Ireland:

“SONI works to develop grid infrastructure to support competition in energy, to promote economic growth and to facilitate renewable energy.

“Developing the power grid for this area of Northern Ireland carries many benefits and I understand the importance of the landowner and local farmer as part of this process.

“I am out on the ground and available to meet any landowners who might have questions about the Brockaghboy project, including landowner compensation and what access and construction might look like.”

SONI is encouraging farmers and landowners requiring information about the scheme, to contact Fergal directly on 07966930855 or email [email protected]. Landowners have the opportunity to make representations about the project to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council or to Mid Ulster Council.