Onshore wind is generating nearly a quarter of electricity needs of Northern Ireland, according to the latest generation figures released by NI Electricity Networks.
The figures indicate that onshore wind has now crossed the 1GW mark, with 1,029MW of onshore wind linked in Northern Ireland.
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This year has seen a significant delivery of large onshore wind projects, which represent a total of £127.4m in local investment.
In the 12-month period from April 2016 to March 2017, onshore wind provided 22.4% of Northern Ireland’s power requirements. All renewable sources contributed 27.1% to the region’s electricity requirements.
Currently, onshore wind provides 6% of electricity in the UK.
Onshore wind is the leading source of clean electricity in Northern Ireland, representing 78% of installed renewable capacity.
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By GlobalDataNorthern Ireland Renewables Industry Group chair Rachel Anderson said: “Crossing this 1GW threshold shows just how much of a success story onshore wind is in Northern Ireland. Onshore wind remains one of the vital growth areas to our modern low-carbon economy, so we need to ensure that politicians here join us in securing a bright future for this technology”.
RenewableUK executive director Emma Pinchbeck said: “Renewable electricity is making a massive contribution to Northern Ireland, creating jobs, bringing inward investment and enabling local regeneration.
“Northern Ireland is making the most of its great onshore wind resources, embracing a mature technology, which is now the cheapest way to generate electricity bar none, helping to keep consumers’ bills down."
