Construction begins on £16.8m Derry windfarm
Construction work has begun on a |£16.8 million windfarm in Co Derry that will generate sufficient renewable energy to meet the electricity demand of 6,500 homes.
Renewable energy and energy storage group, Gaelectric, has commenced building at its 12MW windfarm site at Monnaboy on Loughtermore, around 6 kms south-east of Eglinton and approx. 12.5 kms south-east of Derry city.
The preliminary works started in early summer with the windfarm due to be fully operational in early 2016.
Over 20 full and part-time construction jobs have been created in the building of the windfarm which will consist of four wind turbines with a maximum blade tip height of 121.2 metres.
Patrick McClughan (pictured), Head of Corporate Affairs for Gaelectric Developments Ltd, the development was the latest in a portfolio of renewable energy projects that Gaelectric was progressing in Northern Ireland.
He added: “The commencement of construction on site marks yet another milestone for our business and strengthens Gaelectric’s platform in the energy market.”
“Monnaboy will not only provide a significant boost to Northern Ireland’s renewable energy capacity, it will also generate jobs, in particular 25 full time and part time construction jobs throughout the development phase, support increased workforce skills and provide economic activity to the area.”
Mr McClughan said Gaelectric had completed an extensive consultation programme to update local communities on the Monnaboy project and a locally administered community fund amounting to something in the region of £300,000 would be established next year to support community projects in the area. In the last four years, Gaelectric has secured planning approval for nine Northern Ireland wind farm developments.
The company’s first operational windfarm in Northern Ireland, the £20million Carn Hill Wind Farm located in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim was officially opened in May 2013.
The second project to be completed was the £58million Dunbeg windfarm, located between Limavady and Coleraine, and was officially launched in November 2014. Gaelectric plans to commission its remaining seven Northern Ireland windfarm projects by 2017. Mr McClughan added: “Our total permitted portfolio now stands at 140MWs in Northern Ireland and represents a total investment of approx £170million.
“This consolidates Gaelectric’s position as the largest indigenous renewable energy company in Northern Ireland, and we are proud to make a significant contribution to Northern Ireland’s renewable energy targets.”