SSE Renewables has annouced the installation of the first Vestas V117 turbine at Lenalea Wind Farm, in County Donegal, a joint venture project with FuturEnergy Ireland.

The completion of the first turbine means the completed Lenalea generation unit is now Ireland's newest installed onshore wind turbine.

The installation of the first Vestas turbines at the seven turbine, 30.1MW Lenalea site was overseen by the locally based project team as well as senior Vestas installation personnel.

Under its turbine supply agreement, Vestas is supplying and installing seven V117-4.2 MW turbines which will operate in 4.3MW operating mode at the site. This week senior representatives from both SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland met on site to review progress and to celebrate significant progress to date.

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The remaining six turbines have been pre-assembled and are scheduled to be fully installed at Lenalea by the end of next month. The project remains on track to be delivered and enter commercial operation in Q4 2023.

When complete, Lenalea will be capable of generating enough renewable energy to power 20,000 homes annually and offset 24,500 tonnes of carbon per annum, contributing significantly to Ireland's 2030 renewable energy targets.

Ghislain Demeuldre, SSE Renewables' Head Of Onshore Development for Ireland, said: "Onshore wind energy has made an enormous contribution so far by supplying Ireland with clean, green, homegrown energy, and it will continue to be instrumental in delivering the country's energy security and climate goals as we approach 2030.

"With Ireland's newest wind turbine now in place at Lenalea Wind Farm, we are one step further on that journey."

Mary Lynch, Portfolio Director At FuturEnergy Ireland, said: "Lenalea Wind Farm is beginning to come to life and will be helping Ireland to deliver on its climate action and energy security goals before the end of 2023.

"This achievement is a testament to the seamless interface management between contractors, both on and off site, Donegal County Council, the Gardaí and the public, who have helped facilitate the smooth delivery of the turbines so far, enabling the first turbine to be installed. Donegal has shown real leadership as a county in terms of its support of onshore wind and climate action, and Lenalea Wind Farm is the latest example of this."