150 wind turbines approved

ALMOST 150 wind turbines across 15 separate sites have been approved in the North West to date.

The farms will generate a combined 247.8 megawatts of energy once completed.

Minister of the Environment Edwin Poots gave details of forty one approved farms across Northern Ireland in response to a written query at the Stormont Assembly.

Two farms have been approved in Londonderry with a twelve turbine facility at Slieve Kirk potentially delivering 27.6MW of energy and an eight turbine facility at Curryfree potentially delivering 15MW.

The highest proliferation of farms in the North West was in Strabane with a total of eight approved farms at separate sites at Bessy Bell, Owenreagh, Bin Mt., Lough Hill, Crighshane, Churchill, Carrickatane and Tievenameenta potentially generating 150.6MW. Only in Omagh have more farms been approved.

In Limavady four farms have been approved at sites at Rigged Hill, Altahullion and Glenconway. Forty-seven turbines across these sites will potentially generate 54.6MW of energy.

Mr Poots said his Department has to date approved 41 planning applications for wind farms across Northern Ireland involving the construction of 339 turbines with the potential to generate 585MW of energy.

A further 114 turbines across 14 potential farms are currently being considered by the planners.

Once again the majority of these are in Strabane. Nine farms are planned at Altgolan, Seegronan, Gronan, Koram Hill, Tullywhisker, Slieveglass Aghamore, Meenakeeran and Binnawooda. They will generate a combined 166.2MW if the get the green light.

Three farms at Altahullion, Smulgedon and Farkland in the Limavady Borough Council area will consist of 36 turbines and will generate 36.96MW; whilst two farms at Eglish and Monnaboy in Londonderry will consist of 10 turbines and generate 25MW if they go ahead.