Galway Wind Park
{{Short description|Irish wind farm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use Irish English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Galway Wind Park
| coordinates = {{Coord|53.3662|N|9.3676|W|region:IE_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Ireland
| location = Cloosh Valley, County Galway
| status = O
| construction_began = 2015 (Phase 1)
2016 (Phase 2)
| commissioned = September 2017
| cost = €280 Million
| owner = SSE Renewables
Greencoat Renewables
| operator = SSE Renewables
| wind_farm_type = Onshore
| wind_rotor_diameter = {{Convert|101|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=br}}
| ps_units_operational = 58 x 3 MW
| ps_units_manu_model = Siemens SWT-3.0-101
| ps_electrical_capacity = 174 MW
}}
Galway Wind Park is one of Ireland's largest onshore wind farms.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-14 |title=Galway to boast biggest wind farm in the country |url=https://connachttribune.ie/galway-to-boast-biggest-wind-farm-in-the-country-054/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120022326/https://connachttribune.ie/galway-to-boast-biggest-wind-farm-in-the-country-054/ |archive-date=2017-11-20 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Connacht Tribune |language=en-GB}} Located in Connemara's Cloosh Valley west of Moycullen, County Galway. The wind park was co-developed by SSE Renewables and Coillte at a cost of €280 million and consists of 58 Siemens 3 MW SWT-3.0-101 wind turbines.{{Cite web |last=Zimmermann |first=Nils |date=2018-01-15 |title=German know-how gives Ireland a wind-powered push |url=https://www.dw.com/en/german-know-how-gives-ireland-a-wind-powered-push/a-42153706 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116163756/http://www.dw.com/en/german-know-how-gives-ireland-a-wind-powered-push/a-42153706 |archive-date=2018-01-16 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=en}} The wind park provides energy to around 89,000 homes, which is equivalent to 80% of the homes in Galway.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2017-06-09 |title=First phase of Galway Wind Park completed |url=https://connachttribune.ie/first-phase-of-galway-wind-park-completed-one-month-on-from-catastrophic-forest-fire-090/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609214540/http://connachttribune.ie/first-phase-of-galway-wind-park-completed-one-month-on-from-catastrophic-forest-fire-090/ |archive-date=2017-06-09 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Connacht Tribune |language=en-GB}}
Development
The project was developed over two phases and includes four permitted wind farms which are Galway Cloosh, Lettercraffroe, Seecon and Uggool.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-14 |title=Galway Wind Park |url=https://www.power-technology.com/projects/galway-wind-park/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216093747/http://www.power-technology.com/projects/galway-wind-park |archive-date=2016-02-16 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=Power Technology |language=en-US}} Phase one of the project consists of 22 turbines located on the Uggool and Lettercraffroe sites and began construction in 2015. It was developed and financed solely by SSE Renewables and consists of 22 turbines. Phase two was developed and financed through a joint venture between SSE Renewables and Coillte. The second phase consists of 36 turbines located at the Cloosh and Seecon sites.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2016-11-28 |title=Ireland reaps Galway wind reward |language=en-US |work=reNEWS - Renewable Energy News |url=https://renews.biz/39760/ireland-reaps-galway-wind-reward/ |access-date=2023-02-17}}
The Port of Galway was used in the development of the wind park, and turbine tops, hubs and blades were offloaded in the port and transported to the site by trucks during the night.{{Cite web |last=Conroy |first=MacDara |date=2017-01-08 |title=Time Lapse Video Of Giant Wind Turbine Blade At Galway Harbour |url=https://afloat.ie/port-news/galway-harbour/item/34651-time-lapse-video-of-giant-wind-turbine-blade-at-galway-harbour |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020154820/https://afloat.ie/port-news/galway-harbour/item/34651-time-lapse-video-of-giant-wind-turbine-blade-at-galway-harbour |archive-date=2019-10-20 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=afloat.ie |language=en-gb}} The {{convert|55|m}} long blades were among some of the largest in the industry at the time of construction and a section of the Lough Atalia Road which passed under the rail bridge had to be lowered in order to facilitate the transportation of the turbine blades.{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-03-28 |title=Port of Galway Wind Energy Project {{!}} Port of Galway |url=https://theportofgalway.ie/port-galway-wind-energy-project/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327171303/https://theportofgalway.ie/news/port-of-galway-wind-energy-project/ |archive-date=2023-03-27 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=theportofgalway.ie |language=en-US}}
Generated electricity is sent to the nearby Uggool substation where the voltage is increased to 110kV. An underground power cable joins the Galway-Screeb 110kV overhead line and connects the wind park with the electrical grid.
Upon its completion in 2016, it was Ireland's largest onshore wind farm, remaining so until 2024 when it was overtaken by the second phase of the 194 MW Oweninny Wind Farm.{{Cite web |last=O'Sullivan |first=Kevin |date=2024-03-08 |title=Unveiled: Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm to power 140,000 homes |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/03/08/unveiled-irelands-largest-onshore-wind-farm-to-power-140000-homes/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308173711/https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/03/08/unveiled-irelands-largest-onshore-wind-farm-to-power-140000-homes/ |archive-date=2024-03-08 |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=The Irish Times |language=en}}
See also
{{Stack|{{Portal|Ireland|Weather|Renewable Energy}}}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.sserenewables.com/onshore/ireland/galway-wind-park/}}