Chinese deal pushes Offaly wind farm forward

Chinese and Irish business co-operation has this week driven forward a proposed wind farm for Offaly that was once refused planning permission because of the likelihood birds would collide with its turbines. Irish company Gaelectric signed a deal on Tuesday with Chinese company XEMC VWEC that will see it install 13.6MW of wind turbines on a site in Leabeg, Boora, as well as two others in Westmeath and Roscommon. The projects are together thought to amount to a value of €18 million. The move into Ireland represents the first commercial deployment of XEMC VWEC wind turbines in Europe, a move IDA Ireland is very pleased with. Gaelectric applied to Offaly County Council for a three turbine wind farm at Rin, Leabeg, in late 2007. This was turned down by Offaly County Council in late 2008 and on appeal was also refused by An Bord Pleanála in May 2009. One of the reasons given for the refusal was the likelihood of birds colliding with the turbines. A new application for just two turbines and measures to protect local birds was submitted to the council by Gaelectric at the end of April last year, and the application was approved just one month later. Last Tuesday's agreement means Gaelectric's wind farm sites will be "realised to the highest commercial and technical standards" according to Gaelectric CEO Brendan McGrath. "Our visit to China in March of this year confirmed to us XEMC's commitment to research and development which combines Dutch engineering design and pedigree with Chinese industrial power," he said. "We also share a vision for the significant opportunities from off-shore wind energy generation on which we are already working closely together." After acquiring Dutch renewable energy technology firm Darwind in 2009, XEMC has consolidated its position as leader in the development of Direct Drive Permanent Magnet Generator technologies. Its turbine technology avoids the needs for generator gearboxes and as a result reduces weight and improves reliability. These new XV90 turbines will be installed at the Offaly wind farm site, as well as in Roosky in Co. Roscommon and Crowinstown in Westmeath. The Offaly wind farm is expected to make energy for about 2,000 households.