NIE, the electricity network company, has completed a £20 million investment project in the Omagh area by building a new overhead electricity line from Omagh which supplies a newly built major substation at Magherakeel, just outside Killeter.

The 38 kilometres of overhead electricity line, which was energised on Monday, will be able to carry enough renewable energy to power homes and businesses in the west of the province.

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Around 200 local NIE employees and contractor staff have been involved in building the line and substations for the last 15 months. The extension of the electricity network in this area also provides a strong connection into the grid for a number of future local wind farms.

Nigel Crawford, NIE project manager, said: "This has been a very important and successful project which helps Northern Ireland meet its challenging renewable energy targets, and has created a significant number of jobs locally during its construction, over the last 15 months."

(CD/GK)