Hain opens Fermanagh wind farm

The North today edged closer to its target of providing 12% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2012.

A new wind farm opened by Secretary of State Peter Hain will generate enough electricity to provide the energy needs of almost 10,000 homes.

Last year, 5.8% of the North's electricity came from renewable sources.

The 13 turbines at the new Callagheen wind farm outside Garrison, Co Fermanagh, will increase that to 6.3% – more than half way to the target.

Callagheen’s turbines will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, by more than 38,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 12,000 cars off the roads.

Mr Hain said: “The opening of the Callagheen wind farm adds to Fermanagh’s already important contribution to renewables development in Northern Ireland.

“It follows two significant developments in the county last year – the opening of the Tappaghan wind farm and the world’s first combined heat and power wood pellet production facility at Balcas. As such Fermanagh is a significant exemplar for renewables development in Northern Ireland.”

He said his vision was that the whole of the North would be a model for green energy.

The development, owned by Scottish Power, will be the only wind farm constructed in the North this year.

Keith Anderson, the company’s renewables director, said: “Callagheen, Scottish Power’s 15th wind farm, will provide enough green energy for towns the size of Downpatrick or Cookstown and will make a vital contribution to meeting Kyoto targets for tackling climate change.”