First power generated from Rhode Wind Farm

One of Ireland's newest onshore wind farms – the Yellow River Wind Farm in Rhode – is now connected to the national grid and has produced its first power ahead of reaching full power and entering commercial operations early in the New Year.

When fully operational Yellow River Wind Farm will be capable of powering the equivalent of 67,000 homes annually while displacing 66,000 metric tonnes of carbon each year, with the electricity output from the wind farm helping to contribute to Ireland’s 2030 renewable energy targets while delivering homegrown and secure clean power for Irish energy consumers

The landmark moment for the SSE 101 MW project comes following the successful connection and energisation of Yellow River Wind Farm onto Ireland’s national grid by EirGrid.

Engineering and technical teams from developer SSE Renewables, system operator EirGrid, high voltage electrical engineering contractor Suir Engineering and civils contractor Farrans Construction collaborated to connect and energise the project’s 29 wind turbines and associated Knockdrin 110kV substation to the existing Derryiron 110kV Transmission Station nearby.

With first power now achieved, testing of turbines will take place over the coming months ahead of reaching full power and entering commercial operations, expected in early 2025.

All the wind farm’s installed capacity has been contracted under a 16.5-year RESS 3 contract for low carbon power from the Irish Government.

Heather Donald, Director of Onshore Wind, Solar, Battery (GB & Ireland), for SSE Renewables said the company was delighted to have successfully energised the Yellow River project and to be producing clean electricity from the heart of the Midlands.

“We now look forward to working with our project partners to complete commissioning over the coming months, ahead of entering commercial operations in the months ahead and beginning production of secure, homegrown renewable energy supply for Irish homes and businesses" she said.

Chief Infrastructure Officer with EirGrid, Michael Mahon, said EirGrid’s successful energisation of Knockdrin 110kV substation, connecting Yellow River Wind Farm is "another step" towards decarbonising Ireland’s electricity grid.

“Ireland is fortunate with abundant renewable energy resources and harnessing these resources is critical in helping to meet our climate action targets.

“Achievements like this are only possible through close collaboration of stakeholders across the energy industry and we at EirGrid are proud to collaborate with stakeholders on the successful delivery of this project.”

SSE Renewables commenced construction of the Yellow River project in October 2022, with turbine deliveries and installation commencing in December 2023. At peak delivery, the project supported up to 150 full-time construction phase jobs. The site will continue to support County Offaly’s job creation and local economy in the project’s final months of delivery.

Yellow River Wind Farm will also deliver a positive impact to the local community through an annual Community Benefit Fund which is expected to provide funding for local initiatives, projects, clubs and amenities for the 16.5-year duration of the RESS contract.

Completion of Yellow River Wind Farm in the coming months will contribute to SSE Renewables’ target of increasing its installed renewable energy capacity to up to 9GW by 2027, as part of SSE's Net Zero Acceleration Programme Plus (NZAP Plus) infrastructure delivery programme to help drive progress towards a cleaner and more secure homegrown energy system.