Minister Ryan to open Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm in north Mayo

THE Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, will officially open Oweninny Wind Farm in north Mayo on Friday.

Combining both phases of the Oweninny Wind Farm project, the 50:50 joint venture between the ESB and Bord na Móna is now Ireland’s largest wind farm.

It has an installed capacity of 192MW and can power just under 150,000 homes.

The project represents a total investment by ESB and Bord na Móna of €320 million.

The project was delivered in two phases - 29 turbines were erected in 2019, while phase two, consisting of 31 turbines, entered commercial operation in last year.

Oweninny is located west of Crossmolina and east of Bangor Erris.

The project site comprises of approximately 2,400 hectares and was formerly used for peat harvesting by Bord na Móna to provide fuel for the Bellacorick power station, which ceased operation in 2005.