Bord na Móna's wind energy development of Mountlucas wind farm has reached a significant milestone with the completed erection of the first wind turbine on the Co Offaly wind farm.

The work has been underway since January following the arrival of turbine components on site over the past month.

The Mountlucas turbines represent the latest generation of wind energy technology and will generate 80 megawatts of electricity for the Irish market. The entire wind farm when operational will generate enough clean, safe and renewable energy to supply 45,000 homes in Ireland.

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Bord na Móna's Head of Powergen, John Reilly, said: "This marks an important day on the Mountlucas wind farm with the completion of the erection of the first of the wind turbines, we are delighted to confirm that we are on schedule to meet our targets for 2014.

"We've done this working with Offaly Co Council, a number of excellent Irish construction teams and professionals, and most of all with the local community here in the area."

The project has created over 150 jobs during construction and will sustain a further 12 long-term jobs when it becomes operational later this year.

(CD/JP)