Ireland’s largest ever windfarm is to open in Co Donegal this Thursday.
The windfarm, which has 38 Turbines producing 95 Megawatts of green and renewable electricity, will be formally opened by Energia following a €145m investment.
The windfarm at Meenadreen, outside Donegal Town is among the most technologically advanced wind power generating facilities in the world.
Among the many high-tech features wich will be used on site will be autonomous flying drones which will be used to inspect turbines.
Each turbine on the site stands 115 metres high with a rotor diameter of 90 metres generating power from strong wind pathways in the area.
As Energia’s newest windfarm, Meenadreen alone can power some 50,000 homes using exclusively wind energy which will reduce Ireland’s carbon dioxide emissions by up to 100,000 tonnes each year.
The new windfarm is fully automated.
Energia has also successfully completed a pilot project which will see autonomous drone inspections on predetermined flight paths around the turbines. The new drone capability automatically identifies snags or defects and helps to enhance overall efficiency and safety on site.
More than 300 primary school children from schools in south Donegal will visit the windfarm the next morning on Friday 9th, marking Global Wind Energy Day.
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