People in Mayo are being invited to visit a Castlebar wind farm and get a close-up look at the wind energy industry to mark Global Wind Day on Thursday (June 12 ).
Operators at the Raheen Barr/Derrynadivva Wind Farm, outside Castlebar, will give visitors on the day a 'Walk and Talk' guided tour of the facility.
Raheen Barr/Derrynadivva Wind Farm was established in 2003 and has the capacity to power some 17,680 homes,
Global Wind Day occurs annually and a number of events are taking place at wind farms across the country to mark the day.
It is being celebrated internationally in 75 different countries where wind farms are in operation.
The development of wind energy facilities in Mayo and beyoond is a matter of some controversy with a substantial number of anti wind farm groups forming in recent years.
Some concerns expressed by anti wind farm groups include that wind farms are an unsightly blight on the landscape and impact negatively on farming activity, property value and tourism.
However, Kenneth Matthews, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA ), says wind energy has the potential to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits to communities across Ireland.
“In order to achieve these collective benefits it is critical that the facts about the wind farms win out over some of the myths that have characterised recent debate on the issue,” he said.
Wind capacity in Ireland has doubled over the last five years and last year, it accounted for 18 per cent of electricity generated, powering over 1.3 million households.
