Local people, young and old, descended on Ballymartin Wind Farm in Co. Kilkenny on  June 18th 2015, to celebrate Global Wind Day. The event, hosted by Brookfield Renewable Ireland, gave people the chance to get up close to the wind turbines that generate enough energy to power 10,000 homes in a clean and sustainable way.

Visitors were offered guided tours by the wind farm operator.

George Martin, General Manager,  Brookfield Renewable Ireland said, “We are delighted to be participating once again in this annual community initiative for Global Wind Day. The event raises awareness about renewable energy and provides people with an opportunity to see the workings of a wind farm first hand to show renewable energy in action.”

Global Wind Day is coordinated by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and supported in Ireland by the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA). The day is celebrated across Europe and the globe, where wind farms are in operation. A number  of events are being held across Ireland to raise awareness of wind energy and show people how wind can be part of a stable, clean energy future.

According to Kenneth Matthews, CEO of the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA), “Global Wind Day has become an ideal opportunity for those wishing to discover more about the power and possibilities of wind in Ireland to experience the industry at first hand.  Wind energy is Ireland’s fastest growing energy source but also our cleanest, most cost effective and most abundant source of indigenous renewable energy.”

Wind capacity in Ireland has doubled over the last five years and last year accounted for 18% of electricity generated in 2014, powering over 1.5 million households per year and reducing Ireland’s dependency on foreign energy, which currently costs us €6 billion per year. To the start of June, wind energy has met 25% of Ireland’s electricity demand. There are now over 3,400 people employed in the industry in Ireland.