Ten participants have graduated from a new innovative self-build wind turbine course, organised jointly by Roscommon County Council's Climate Action Team in conjunction with Galway and Roscommon Education Training Board (GRETB).

During the inaugural programme, which ran over four separate weekends during December 2024 and January 2025 in the GRETB's centre in Lisnamult, Roscommon, participants learnt to build a domestic wind turbine from scratch using the Hug Piggott turbine design.

These models are considered ideal for those interested in building their own wind turbine or just for the pleasure of it, learning a wide range of range of related skills such as basic woodwork, electrical and metalwork.

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Training provided has been divided between the aforementioned self-build wind turbine courses and other EV repair and maintenance courses.

This first wind turbine course has helped raise levels resilience to impacts resulting from climate change for the participants and set them on the road to a potential career in the renewables industry.

A further course is scheduled to start in March at a date to be confirmed.

Speaking following the presentation ceremony, which took place on Sunday, February 9, Barry Tapster, Climate Action Officer with Roscommon County Council, said: "This new wind turbine course has been an invaluable learning exercise for participants.

"Practical, hands-on training and support has been given as to how one can develop and operate their own wind turbine in a manner that’s cost effective, safe and environmentally friendly and sustainable.

"None of us were immune from the recent effects of Storm Éowyn, which resulted in widespread power outages. The success of this course demonstrates the needs for greater understanding and awareness of harnessing alternative sources of energy."

The programme was funded through the Just Transition Fund programme, co-financed through Government of Ireland and European Union resources, with the aim to run regular training courses like this wind turbine course in partnership with GRETB until the end of March 2026.