There's something in the air in Co Tyrone with news that Gaelectric, the Irish renewable energy company, has received planning approval for a 11.5 Megawatt (MW) wind farm at Cregganconroe, Pomeroy.

The wind farm development - that will consist of five wind turbines and will be capable of generating energy equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of approximately 6,500 homes - will create jobs and cut greenhouse gas emission, allow enhancement of the security of energy supplies and provide up to 20 construction jobs, along with the opportunity for employment in the operation of the site.

The Cregganconroe wind farm will require a total investment of over £18m, and is just one of a number of projects that Gaelectric currently has in planning in Northern Ireland, which together total approximately 130MW.

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Making this announcement, Brendan McGrath, Chief Executive Officder of Gaelectric, said: "We have been working on planning for a range of sites in Tyrone and Antrim for a number of years.

"The Cregganconroe approval is a further important step for Gaelectric and represents our second planning success in Northern Ireland this year."

Commenting on the role of the Northern Ireland Executive, Mr. McGrath said: "It has been very helpful over the last few years to be able to deal with the Northern Ireland Executive, which was at all times open to the benefits of renewable energy and to finding a solution that would work for the area. We appreciate their support."

Gaelectric completed an extensive consultation programme to update local communities on the proposal. A locally administered community fund amounting to £210,000 for community projects will be set up which confirms Gaelectric's commitment to fully engage with its local communities.

Gaelectric has also committed to spending over £3.5million in project costs on construction and operations with local companies.

Gaelectric currently has 25 projects at different stages of development on the island of Ireland.

Gaelectric's first wind farm in Roscommon is expected to be commissioned by year-end 2010.

(BMcC/KMcA)