It has already been proposed that a wind farm of 44 turbines at the Erris Peninsula in north Mayo be designated, where a strategic infrastructure development may be fast-tracked under planning law.

Eamon Ryan, the minister for communications, energy and natural resources, plans to use the plant to support the development of an electricity grid to connect the area.

He said: “We need an energy revolution…Mayo will become a centre point of the new energy future for Ireland.

“We have some of the best renewable energy resources in the world – some of the best ocean resources are in the north-west of the country. Some of the best wind resources in the world are in the same area.”

There are four parts to the proposed Corrib gas project, including offshore operations and the onshore and offshore sections of the pipeline.

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