Landmark Galway Wind Park Sustainability Impact Report launched in Moycullen

€20m spent with local supply chain through development of Galway Wind Park 

Cllr Noel Thomas, Cathaoirleach of the Connemara Municipal District, launched SSE and Coillte’s Galway Wind Park Sustainability Impact Report, which shows that over 100 local businesses have provided products and services to the wind energy project, representing a €20m spend so far with the local supply chain in Co. Galway. At a national level Galway Wind Park has already contributed €88.7m to Irish Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The local launch of this landmark report, which outlines the valuable economic, environmental and social impacts the development of Galway Wind Park is delivering both locally and nationally, took place yesterday (8 December) at The Forge, Moycullen. The event was attended by local supply chain companies and public representatives, along with community groups and organisations that have benefited as a result of the delivery of the Galway Wind Park project.

In addition to its local supply chain and GDP contributions, the construction of Galway Wind Park is so far responsible for supporting 1,657 years of full-time employment. The report also shows that at peak construction 63 per cent of all civil contract workers and 43 per cent of all grid connection contract workers lived within 30km of the site.

The 169MW Galway Wind Park project is being jointly delivered by SSE and Coillte and is the largest renewable energy project of its kind currently under construction in Ireland. When completed in late 2017, it will be the country’s largest onshore wind farm, contributing significantly to Ireland’s 2020 target of producing 40 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.

Cllr Noel Thomas, Cathaoirleach, said:

“I’m pleased to be able to join SSE and Coillte to launch the Galway Wind Park Sustainability Impact Report. The benefits to the local community from the development by both companies of Galway Wind Park have been very positive, with both short-term and long-term impacts. We have seen short-term benefits from employment during the construction phase, creating a great opportunity for local contractors to expand, invest in their businesses and provide significantly more employment in the area. Over the long-term there is going to be a major investment by SSE and Coillte in a community fund. This will be a multi-million euro fund that will be available for local communities to draw down on, and this will have a very positive impact in the local community over the next 25 years.”

Ghislain Demeuldre, SSE Head of Construction Projects, said:

“I’m delighted that Cathaoirleach Noel Thomas joined our project team, our local supply chain partners and our project partner Coillte to launch the Galway Wind Park Sustainability Impact Report. Galway Wind Park represents a significant investment in the local economy. The project has already added €88.7m to Irish GDP and will provide enough green energy to power the equivalent of 89,000 homes.”

Una Power, Coillte Programme Manager, said:

“At Coillte, we are already embedded in every local community in the country, so we’re extremely proud that the Galway Wind Park project has made a valuable contribution to the local supply chain, with €20 million spent directly with over 100 local suppliers and contractors, and created local employment. We’re also pleased that so many community organisations, who were with us today for their launch, have seen the benefits that the delivery of Galway Wind Park is bringing so far.”