Record for wind-generated electricity

A NEW record for the amount of electricity generated by wind turbines across the country in any one day was set on April 5th, according to figures released yesterday by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA).

It said 1,120 megawatts of electricity was generated on that day. This would have been enough to power 672,000 homes in Ireland.

This was revealed as the association announced details of open days at seven Irish wind farms from June 12th to June 19th in the run-up to Global Wind Day.

Commenting on the record output from wind turbines here, IWEA chief executive Michael Walsh said: “A lot needs to happen in any one day for that record to be broken; with wind strength essential, of course, and, as we build towards providing 40 per cent of Ireland’s electricity from this source by 2020, we expect to break this record over and over again.

“We are enthused by the public support for renewable energy and the open days at wind farms around the country will provide an opportunity for the public to experience turbines up close and get to know more about the industry.”

Some 5,000 people attended events during Global Wind Day in 2009, and the IWEA, which has more than 500 members, said it expected bigger crowds this year.

The sites that will open next month to the public are DKIT in Dundalk, Mountain Lodge, Cavan, Geevagh in Sligo, Slieve Divina in Tyrone, and the Lisheen Mines in Tipperary.