Grid cable issue knocks Oweninny Windfarm out
A technical issue has ground the 60 turbines at Oweninny windfarm to a halt.
The largest onshore windfarm in Ireland is out of action due to a grid cable outage.
The problem at the 60-turbine Oweninny Wind Farm in North Mayo began a number of weeks ago.
Locals and passing motorists have been surprised to see the large turbines which dominate the skyline laying static.
The Oweninny project is a joint venture between ESB and Bord na Móna representing a total investment of €320m.
A spokesperson for Oweninny Wind Farm confirmed the project has run into technical problems in recent weeks.
“Oweninny Wind Farm can confirm that a grid cable outage has impacted operations on the site over the past number of weeks. Works on repairing the cable are ongoing and we expect the wind farm to resume operations in the coming weeks,” said the spokesperson.
The Oweninny Wind Farm in Moneynierin has been built over two phases in with a total output of 192MW, enough to power 140,000 homes and businesses annually.
There were 29 turbines erected in 2019 during phase one, with a further 31 entering commercial operation during the second phase at the end of 2023.
The project site stretches across almost 2,500 hectares between Crossmolina and Bangor Erris.
An older wind farm in Bellacorrick has not been impacted by the outage.
Local Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle said the issues that have arisen were what he first suspected.
“The cables aren’t fit to take it,” said Cllr Coyle.
He believes the difficulties are having knock-on effects in the local area which has been hit with spates of electricity black-outs in recent months.
“We never had black-outs before that. Never. All last month it was off every day of the week in some place or other. Those cables were designed to bring power in, not ship power out,” said Cllr Coyle.
When completed and unveiled in March this year, Minister for Climate and Energy Ryan described the event as a ‘significant day for Ireland, and for Mayo.’ “This flagship project showcases what we can achieve, and what must be done, to deliver the clean energy we need to reduce our dependence on imported fossil fuel,” he stated.
ESB chief executive Paddy Hayes said the project was an important element in delivering its net zero emissions by 2040 target.
