Submitted by renewable energy company RES who have a base in Larne, County Antrim, the proposed 66 MW Mullaghclogher Wind Farm would be capable of generating clean, low-cost electricity for around 80,000 homes. The wind farm would also save 118,000 tonnes of carbon every year, compared to equivalent fossil fuel generation.
“In 2023, wind energy across Northern Ireland cut spending on polluting gas by over £240 million” said Ellen Cross, Development Project Manager at RES. “That’s a carbon emission saving of around 920,000 tonnes which demonstrates the importance of increasing the amount of clean renewable electricity across the country.”
If consented, Mullaghclogher could also deliver significant economic benefit to the local area and the wider Northern Irish economy. The proposed wind farm has the potential to deliver approximately £3.3 million into the local area in the form of jobs, employment, and the use of local services. In total some £35 million is estimated to be injected into the wider Northern Irish economy during the construction phase with a further approximate £28 million paid in business rates during the project’s operational lifetime, supporting both local and regional services in Northern Ireland.
“At RES, we have a strong track-record of working closely with the local supply chain around our projects and maximising inward investment opportunities wherever possible” added Ms Cross. “The construction of the 25 MW Castlecraig Wind Farm, near Drumquin, provided employment for around 50 local people and injected over £3 million of inward investment in the immediate area alone, delivering significant local economic benefits which we also hope to realise at Mullaghclogher, if consented.”
RES has been playing a pivotal role in providing Northern Ireland with renewable energy since the early 1990s. With over 50 employees based in Larne, the team is committed to playing an active part in Northern Ireland’s energy future, ensuring its projects contribute to decarbonising the energy system at least cost to the consumer.
For additional information:
Strategic Planning Directorate Department for Infrastructure (DfI)
