Glasgow-based utility ScottishPower today (Thursday) officially opened the doors to one of the most advanced windfarms in the world.

The public opening of the company's newest windfarm, at Barnesmore in County Donegal, was attended by Joe Jacob, Minister of State with Responsibility for Energy. It was part of ScottishPower's contribution to Irish Energy Awareness Week.

The £13 million, 25-turbine windfarm uses state-of-the-art generating equipment to harness the power of the wind more efficiently than has previously been possible. Operations can be monitored and controlled from a computer screen at the company's engineering offices in East Kilbride.

The windfarm is now running at full capacity, following the successful completion of engineering trials, generating 15 megawatts (MW) of electricity. That's enough to supply a town of more than 15,000 homes. 

Barnesmore is ScottishPower's first overseas windfarm and is the biggest in Ireland. It is also the first in Eire to come on stream under a £70 million initiative by the Irish government (the Alternative Energy Requirement) to promote renewable and alternative energy.

The Barnesmore site has among the best wind conditions in Europe and is relatively shielded from view. ScottishPower has attempted to minimise interference with the local environment and is preserving grazing and peat cutting rights attached to the site.

Mr Jacob said the windfarm had a significant and positive environmental dimension, reducing annual emissions of carbon dioxide by 15,000 tonnes.

"The promotion and optimum exploitation of renewable energy is an Irish energy priority. In the long term, renewables are the only fuel source whose continued use we can sustain. Wind energy is set to play a major part in future development and will become a significant contributor to the future energy and electricity needs of Ireland".

The windfarm takes ScottishPower's portfolio of wind generation to 67.5 MW and confirms the company's position as one of the UK's largest windfarm operators.

ScottishPower is also owner of the first commercial windfarms in Northern Ireland, operates windfarms in Cornwall and Lancashire and has a share in one of  Europe's largest windfarm, at Penrhyddlan and Llidiartywaum in mid-Wales.

Last year ScottishPower opened the first commercial windfarm in Scotland, a 15MW project at Hagshaw Hill, near Douglas in Lanarkshire.

Ken Vowles, ScottishPower's Executive Director, Generation, said: "Barnesmore is an important addition to the company's portfolio of renewable generation. The promotion of renewable energy sources will continue over the '90s and we are looking at opportunities for further developments of efficient and cost-effective uses of renewable energy supplies."

Further Information:
Gordon Laidlaw,         ScottishPower Press Office        0141 248 8200