Relocation application for Curryfree wind speed mast

A FIRM behind a proposed Londonderry windfarm set to generate enough electricity to power 8,000 homes has applied to relocate a 60m meteorological mast that will measure the wind speed at the facility.

RES UK & Ireland has been granted planning permission to develop a 6 turbine wind farm at Curryfree, south of Newbuildings/Drumahoe and north of Donemana.

The renewable energy firm estimates the farm will generate enough pollution-free energy to provide domestic electricity for 9,500 homes.

Now the firm have applied to relocate the site of a proposed meteorological mast to test the wind speed at the farm.

An application has been lodged with the planners to relocate the "permanent 60m high meteorological mast" to a site entrance approximately 800metres west of the Bigwood and Forge Roads in the townlands of Curryfree and Creevedonnell.

Work began last month on the proposed ESB wind farm. The project is expected to take 12 months to finish.

ESB also announced recently that another wind farm, a 20 megawatt facility with eight turbines in Co Tyrone, has started supplying electricity to 20,000 homes.

The ESB now owns Northern Ireland's national grid, the backbone of the electricity network, which transmits power from generating stations, and the distribution network, which delivers power to customers.