Ballywater Wind Farm Explained

The Ballywater Wind Farm is located between the villages of Kilmuckridge and Ballygarrett, in County Wexford, Ireland. The onshore wind farm, which commenced operation in 2005,[1] has a capacity of 42 MW.[2] It consists of 21 wind turbines,[3] and is visible from the R742 regional road.

Development and sale

The wind farm, which commenced operations in 2005,[1] was sold by the Lanber Group to Gaelectric in 2015.[4] In 2018, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) conducted an investigation into potential impact on the grid system as, while the wind farm had consent to generate 31.5MW of output, it was reportedly generating 42MW.[5] Following the investigation, the CRU determined that it was "not in the public interest" to take "enforcement" action on the alleged breach of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999.[2]

Operation

The E-70 turbines, used at the wind farm, are made by Enercon and have rotor diameters of 70 m.[6] The electricity generated by the turbines at the wind farm is fed into the national electricity grid via a sub-station near Monageer, County Wexford.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ballywater . Wind Energy Ireland . windenergyireland.com . 19 November 2022 .
  2. Web site: Unauthorised Construction of a Generation Station - Notice for Ballywater non-compliance . . cru.ie . 2018 . 19 November 2022 .
  3. Web site: Wexford company to oversee major wind bank development . Independent News & Media . Wexford People . 15 June 2019 . 19 July 2022 .
  4. Web site: Gaelectric buys 42MW Wexford farm . Independent News & Media . independent.ie . 12 December 2015 . 19 November 2022 .
  5. Web site: Let-off for wind farm in excess power probe . Independent News & Media . independent.ie . 3 October 2018 . 19 November 2022 .
  6. Web site: Wind farms - Ballywater (Ireland) . thewindpower.net . 19 November 2022 .
  7. Web site: ESB wants huge mast at Monageer . Independent News & Media . Enniscorthy Guardian . 27 August 2012 . 19 November 2022 . The [Monageer ESB] sub-station, which is close to several houses, receives the output from the wind turbines at Ballywater near Ballygarret and connects it to the national grid .