SSE’s Tievenameenta Wind Farm in Killeter, Co. Tyrone is now fully operational, just 12 months after the project entered construction.
With a capacity of 34.5MW, the completed wind farm is capable of powering up to 30,000 homes with clean, green energy. All 15 turbines at the site were supplied and installed by Siemens.
The addition of Tievenameenta to SSE’s operational portfolio brings the company’s total generation capacity from its wind farms in Northern Ireland to 122.5MW, enough to power over 100,000 homes.
SSE’s Project Manager for Tievenameenta, Garry Brides, said:
“Considering construction only began this time last year, it’s great to have the site fully up and running at this stage, and that’s down to the great work and dedication of our entire project team and contractors.
“Of course, the most important aspect of any SSE project is safety, and it’s testament to all those involved with the delivery of Tievenameenta that over 150,000 hours were worked with no lost time injuries (LTIs) or first aid incidents.
“I also want to say a huge thank you to the local community. The cooperation and patience of local residents allowed the construction process to run smoothly, and helped us get the project finished ahead of schedule.”
Last summer, Tievenameenta was hailed as an ‘exceptional and innovative’ construction site in the Considerate Constructors Scheme report, with a score of 44 out of 50, including full marks for the steps taken to protect the environment. The project also received high marks in the areas of Care about Appearance, Respect for the Community and Securing Everyone’s Safety.
From 2018, SSE will open its Community Fund programme for Tievenameenta Wind Farm. The fund will be split between a Community Fund, which will make contributions to local groups and projects, and a Regional Fund, which will provide funding for local students towards their educational costs.