Ireland Premier Construction

Dunbeg Wind Farm

Dunbeg Wind Farm
Written by Roma Publications

Dunbeg Wind Farm

Dunbeg Wind Farm, a 42MW wind farm at Co. Derry is in the process of being constructed by renewable energy and energy storage group Gaelectric, and set to be finalised by October this year.

The company has launched the Dunbeg Community Benefit Fund, which aims to support local community projects within the Aghanloo area.

Managed on behalf of Gaelectric by the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, the Fund will provide various grants to local community and voluntary groups which are delivering projects that support community cohesion in the Aghanloo area, valued between £500 and £5,000. The total fund is worth in excess of £1million over the full 25 year lifespan of the project.

Patrick McClughan, Gaelectric’s Commercial Manager in Northern Ireland and chair of the Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group (NIRIG) said:

“The 42MW Dunbeg wind farm represents a total investment of £58million and will be one of the most significant wind farm developments on the island of Ireland. It is due to be fully operational by mid 2014 and will generate sufficient renewable power to meet the electricity demand of 24,000 homes.

Dunbeg Wind Farm

“As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering local community benefits it is important that the local communities close to the Dunbeg wind farm have the opportunity to share in the social and economic benefits of this renewable energy development, and we could encourage local community and voluntary groups to apply to the Fund.”

Dunbeg will be one of the more significant wind farm developments on the island of Ireland and will generate sufficient renewable power to meet the electricity demand of 24,000 homes. The total investment at Dunbeg will amount to £58million.

The development will comprise 14 Enercon wind turbines with a maximum hub height of 80 metres and a maximum blade diameter of 90 metres. Dunbeg will not only provide a considerable boost to Northern Ireland’s renewable energy capacity, it will also create jobs, support workforce skills and contribute to the economic activity in the area.

Since its inception in 2004, Gaelectric has demonstrated the ability to create and develop out an extensive portfolio of renewable energy projects in multiple markets. Gaelectric’s business is centred on three cores areas of activity, on-shore wind energy development and operations in Ireland; energy storage systems (Gaelectric Energy Storage) and off-shore energy development; and on-shore wind energy development in the United States.

Dunbeg Wind Farm

The establishment has nine wind farm projects at various stages in Northern Ireland. Gaelectric officially opened its first operational wind farm in Northern Ireland in May 2013. The £20million Carn Hill wind farm is located in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. The business currently employs eight people in its Technical office based at Clarendon Quay, Belfast.

The Belfast team is dedicated to all technical aspects of renewable energy development. Key activities include wind farm design; feasibility studies; land acquisition; site selection/evaluation; due diligence; grid feasibility study; and operations and maintenance.

 

 

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