September 29, 2010
Ireland

Green light for ESB and Coillte wind farm project

By Geoff Percival, Irish Examiner, www.irishexaminer.com 29 September 2010

Planning permission has been granted for a proposed wind farm development due to be jointly run by the ESB and Coillte, the state-owned forestry and renewable energy company.

The 27.5MW wind farm at Raheenleagh, Co Wicklow, will be equally owned by the two companies and will comprise 11 turbines – each generating about 2.5MW.

It’s anticipated that the wind farm will generate the equivalent of 17,000 homes’ annual electricity consumption. Construction is due to begin in 2012.

Coillte’s chief executive David Gunning said: “We’re delighted to get another wind farm project underway.

“We have a further five projects to submit for planning this year and two more in 2011.

“As the country’s largest landowner, Coillte is in a unique position to deliver strategic projects of this nature, working with a number of significant partners, including the ESB. Projects like these are also helping Ireland meet national policy and renewable energy objectives.”

On the back of a better than expected set of annual results for 2009, Coillte said, earlier this year, that work was at an advanced stage on developing its pipeline of wind energy projects, which it hopes will deliver significant revenue over the next five years.

“The development of this wind farm at Raheenleagh indicates ESB’s commitment to investment in renewables and is another step in transforming ESB into a carbon neutral company.”

ESB’s chief executive Padraig McManus added: “We look forward to continuing our excellent working relationship with Coillte through the development of this project.”

This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, September 29, 2010


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/09/29/green-light-for-esb-and-coillte-wind-farm-project/