The deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, MLA, has opened a £125million wind farm, Slieve Kirk Wind Park, near Limavady.

SSE Renewable's Slieve Kirk Wind Park is expected to produce enough green energy to power over 65,000 homes here.

Slieve Kirk Wind Park is the development of the original 27MW Slieve Kirk wind farm near Ardmore with a 46MW expansion of capacity developed at Glenconway Hill, near Limavady. It is expected to generate around 200GWh of electricity each year.

-- Advertisement --

Mr McGuinness said: "This is the biggest wind farm in the north of Ireland and the green energy generated at Slieve Kirk will power 65,000 homes and significantly decarbonise our energy generation. It further contributes to our Programme for Government target to encourage achievement of 20% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2015.

"The building of this wind farm has not only contributed to our renewable energy target but also delivered economic benefits for local companies and supported local jobs.

"SSE has made an important contribution to the north west by investing £36million in the local community and businesses. The company has made a commitment to future community investment throughout the lifetime of the wind farm. This commitment by SSE demonstrates the real economic impact from renewable energy and reinforces the value of our green economy."

(CD)