Gruig wind farm walk

The walk that is part of the Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council popular Countryside Events programme, offers members of the public the unique opportunity to explore an area that would usually be inaccessible to the public.

The guided walk allowed participants the opportunity to visit the wind farm, comprising ten turbines developed between November 2007 and April 2009. The wind farm is owned by Glennmont Partners and operated, on their behalf, by RES Ltd.

A small hardy group of walkers joined RES staff members for a tour to find out about the management and operation involved in making sustainable electricity within this beautiful and biodiverse area of the Antrim Hills.

The walk started at Altnahinch Dam along public roads before completing a route at the wind farm and returning to the Dam.

Sonya Crawford, Countryside Access Officer with Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council said, “The Gruig Wind Farm walk is one of many walks on offer as part of the popular Countryside Events programme that is run annually. The events offer the chance to explore areas you might otherwise not access, while taking the opportunity to participate in an active lifestyle.

“The Gruig Wind Farm Walk provides participants with the opportunity to meet RES staff and hear first-hand what is involved in operating a wind farm”.

Victoria Graham, RES’ Community Relations Manager, continued, “We are delighted to have been able to facilitate the walk and welcome members of the public into our unique working environment. Events such as this take away the mystery surrounding wind farms and allow the public to see the turbines up close and ask any questions that they may have.

“We hope that our visitors enjoyed their visit despite the adverse weather conditions”.