Energia Completes Donegal wind farm in Ireland

Energia have completed construction of their new 10 MW wind farm at Drumlough Hill, Buncrana, Co Donegal. The green electricity generated by these wind energy plants will be supplied to businesses across Ireland by Energia which has 17%, rising to 25% by 2012, of the all-island renewable electricity connected supply.

The 10 MW of power produced at Drumlough Hill will be generated by 12 state-of-the-art Spanish Gamesa wind turbines bringing the total output at Drumlough Hill to 15MW. Each turbine unit is 55 metres high, with the blade diameter of each unit measuring 52 metres. Each wind turbine has the capacity to produce 850 kW of green electricity. 14km of cable have been laid underground to connect the turbines to the national grid.

Energia is a leading all-island player in the provision of renewable power and has been one of the most significant contributors to Ireland’s renewable targets. Following initial wind farm investments in 2003 in Northern Ireland, Energia offtake contracts underpinned a significant €650 million in 2006 to support the development of over 165 MW of wind farms throughout Ireland. They currently have over 255MW of operational windfarms, and a further 484 MW in development.

Peter Baillie – Managing Director Renewables Energia, commented, “With Drumlough Hill completed and operating successfully, we look forward to supplying this new green electricity to businesses throughout Ireland. Demand for renewable electricity is growing rapidly among Irish business and new developments such as this are crucial if we are to meet this need.“

“Energia has consistently been one of the largest investors in Ireland’s renewable sector and currently has 255 MW of operational renewable electricity capacity contracted within its energy portfolio, with a further 484 MW of wind farm projects currently in development across Ireland. The green electricity generated by these windfarms will be supplied to businesses across Ireland by Energia which has 17%, rising to 25% by 2012, of the all-island renewable electricity connected supply.”

www.energia.ie