Windfarm to power 30,000 homes

THE largest windfarm in Munster was switched on yesterday and will produce enough ‘green electricity’ to power 30,000 homes.

The South Western Service (SWS) Group, which is behind the project at Kilgarvan, Co Kerry, is also planning a €300 million investment in wind energy over the next two years to add to its latest venture which cost e60m to develop.

Tim Cowhig, general manager of SWS’s energy division, said the company planned to invest in up to four more windfarms in Munster, the North and Hungary over the next two years at a cost of €300m.

“We believe this kind of energy is very much the way to go,” Mr Cowhig said.

The Kilgarvan windfarm, which was officially opened by Deputy Joe Walsh, has 15 turbines which were supplied by the Danish company Vestas.

“The turbines are the largest commercially available onshore turbines in the world with a tower height of 75 metres and 45-metre blade length,” Mr Cowhig said.

Construction of the windfarm began in March 2005 on a 260-hectare site. The first turbines arrived on the site last December and it is estimated that the green energy they produce will save approximately 136,000 tonnes per year of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions getting into the atmosphere.

The windfarm is connected to the ESB grid via a 110kw line to Killarney and is SWS’s largest project to date.

Last year, the company completed work on a €25.5m windfarm at Booltiagh, Co Clare, and a €12m plant at Gneeves, near Millstreet.

SWS Group chief executive Kiernan Calnan said: “We see renewable energy as a key part of the group’s growth strategy and a more environmentally sustainable approach to Irish energy policy.

“Ireland has one of the windiest climates worldwide and with rising oil and gas prices, wind energy is the key factor in meeting our Kyoto emission targets.

“Making the move from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable fuel or wind is imperative. Climate-friendly technologies, like wind, are a key factor in achieving this,” he added.

Mr Calnan said the launch of the company’s flagship project in Kilgarvan illustrated its commitment to the green energy sector and also marks a new phase of growth which will see the SWS Group exploit many new technologies available to it at present.

The SWS Group, which was named Cork Company of the Year for 2006, has its headquarters in Bandon, Co Cork and employs 380 people full-time and a further 220 part-time and is carrying out projects in the North, Britain and Eastern Europe.