By Isabella Kaminski

Gaelectric's Dunbeg wind farm in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, represents a £58 million investment by the company. The development will consist of 14 wind turbines with a maximum hub height of 80 m and a maximum blade diameter of 90 m.

Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive of Gaelectric, says: "This is a very significant milestone for our business and greatly strengthens Gaelectric's platform in the energy market. We have now secured planning approval for over 80 MW of wind energy developments in Northern Ireland. The Dunbeg site is a world-class energy resource and accounts for over half of this generation capacity."

Planning approval was granted following Gaelectric's successful appeal to the Northern Ireland Planning Appeals Commission, which overturned an earlier decision by the Northern Ireland Planning Service to refuse approval for the wind farm.

Gaelectric has also announced the financial close on its 4.6 MW wind farm at Skrine, County Roscommon, with Triodos Bank, which specialises in ethical and sustainable investment.

The Skrine wind farm is located 7km south of Roscommon Town and will consist of two 2.3 MW Enercon turbines each with a blade tip height of 100 m. The farm will be operational by July 2011.

McGrath says: "Triodos Bank will be providing the long-term funding to the €8 million wind farm development, which will generate enough 'green' electricity to meet the electricity demand of approximately 2500 homes."