To mark Global Wind Day, the Irish Wind Energy Association has wind farm open days and events to mark the occasion.
Wind capacity in Ireland has doubled over the last five years and last year accounted for 18% of electricity generated, powering over 1.3 million households per year and reducing Ireland’s dependency on foreign energy which currently costs us €6 billion per year. The sector currently employs over 3,400 people in Ireland with this number set to grow in the years ahead.
According to Kenneth Matthews, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA), “With the publication of the Government’s Green Paper on Energy Policy, now is time for a clear, facts-based discussion about how best to power Ireland’s future. Wind energy is Ireland’s cleanest and most abundant source of indigenous energy making it the most cost effective solution to the Irish consumer.
“We’re calling on people across the country who want to see wind energy in action locally to take advantage of Global Wind Day and experience this clean energy source at first hand where they will discover more about the power and possibilities of wind in Ireland.
“The substantial environmental, economic and social benefits of wind energy, both locally and nationally, are clear. However, in order to achieve these collective benefits it is critical that the facts about the wind farms win out over some of the myths that have characterised recent debates on the issue.”
Some of the key events include:
Gortahile Wind Farm, Co Laois
Saturday 21st June – from 10am to 1pm
Walk and Talk session up to the turbines with information.
Guides will meet the public at the entrance of the windfarms to escort visitors on a ‘Walk and Talk’ of the windfarm. Basic level of walking fitness required. Children welcome. Visitors will be able to see the turbines up close and information leaflets will be given out on the day.
Gibbet Hill Wind Farm, Co. Wexford
Saturday 21st June – from 10am to 1pm
Walk and Talk session up to the turbines with information.
Guides will meet the public at the entrance of the wind farm just off the R746 to bus visitors up to one of the turbine locations in the wind farm. Children welcome. Visitors will be able to see a turbine up close and information leaflets will be given out on the day.
Carrickatane Wind Farm, Co. Tyrone
Tuesday 17th June, 4pm.
Guided walk of the wind farm for schools and a public walk from entrance.
Guided walk of the wind farm for schools with a guided public walk from entrance at 4pm.
Sorne Hill Wind Farm, Co Donegal
Wednesday 18th June at 6.30pm.
Opportunity for the community to visit the wind farm. Bord Gáis Energy staff on hand to explain how the turbines work and how clean, renewable energy is generated. Children welcome.
Community Open Day. A bus will take community members who would like to attend to the wind farm site and back to Buncrana.
Bawnmore Wind Farm, Co. Cork
Wednesday 18th June, 2pm.
Walk and Talk session up to the turbines with information.
Visitors will be met at the main entrance by David who will accompany them around the wind farm showing them the turbines and the layout. He will also give some general information.
Knocknagoum Wind Farm, Co. Kerry
Thursday 19th June, 2pm.
Walk and Talk session up to the turbines with information.
Visitors will be met at the main entrance by David who will accompany them around the wind farm showing them the turbines and the layout. He will also give some general information.
Leitir Gungaid Wind Farm, Co. Galway
Friday 20th June, 2pm.
Walk and Talk session up to the turbines with information.
David will meet visitors at the main entrance and accompany them around the wind farm showing them the turbines and the layout. He will also give some general information.
Carn Hill Wind Farm, Co. Antrim
Thursday June 19th
Opening for school visit of approximately 40 children, between the ages of 8 and 12.
Informative tour to the wind farm site and the chance to see and learn about the wind turbines.
Further details can be found here.