Energia Renewables has announced it has selected US energy giant GE Renewable Energy to supply eight wind turbines to its 49MW Drumlins Park wind farm in Co Monaghan.
It will be the first time GE's 6.1 MW turbine will be used in Ireland, and the wind farm will be capable of supplying electricity to power 34,000 Irish households. The agreement includes 25-year full-service contract.
"This is a very significant milestone for our development at Drumlins Park as we move towards commissioning later this year," said Peter Baillie, managing director of Energia Renewables.
"We are delighted to partner with GE, one of the world’s leading wind turbine suppliers and this agreement is illustrative of our focus on innovation and excellence.
"The development at Drumlins is both timely in terms of the urgent requirement for new electricity capacity and, is part of our broader ongoing investment in renewable energy across onshore and offshore wind, solar, hydrogen and battery storage."
In Association with
Gilan Sabatier, GE’s chief commercial officer of onshore wind international, said: “We are truly thrilled to work together with Energia Renewables on the opportunity to contribute to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and help the country reach its ambitious net-zero pledge.
"The Drumlins project also marks a very special moment for GE as it will be our first project in Ireland to use our 6 MW wind turbine.”
Drumlins Park is being developed as part of a corporate power purchase agreement framework signed with Microsoft to build new onshore wind and solar projects to provide renewable electricity to the national grid.
Planning permission was given by Monaghan County Council in 2020 and by An Bord Pleanála in November 2021.
The site will have eight wind turbines and an intended operational life of 30 years. Seven of the eight turbine bases have now been completed, and construction will commence in the second quarter before the start of commercial operation in autumn.
Once operational, Energia intends to establish a community benefit fund to provide funding for local community initiatives.
Energia presently supplies 20% of the island of Ireland electricity requirements, and electricity and gas to 823,000 homes and businesses.
Photo: Peter Baillie. (Pic: Energia Renewables)
