Twenty-six years ago Murphy’s ground engineering team began work on the first commercial wind farm ever built in Ireland.
In May 1992, the team installed the piles for Oweninny Wind Farm in Bellacorrick, Co. Mayo which would be operated by Bord Na Mona – the same operator as today.
Now over two decades later the team are returning to the same spot to install piles which will support 29 new wind turbines to support the increased need for energy in the area. Each wind turbine will require 16 piles to support them.
Returning to the site is particularly memorable for Murphy foreman, Mick Keane, who will be the foreman for these works and was the foreman for the original work back in 1992 too.
Mick said: “It’s a very special moment for me coming back to this site. A lot has changed over the years in terms of technology and working practice so it’s a really interesting opportunity for me to reflect on that while we are completing the works. Returning to this site over to decades later really does underline Murphy’s legacy of providing superb ground engineering services in Ireland over the years.”
Chris Fox, Murphy project manager, said: “The original wind farm was a first for Ireland on its path to having cleaner, renewable power energy. Murphy are delighted to be back to where it all began and hope to continue delivering renewable energy our clients and customers across Ireland.”
The piling works will complete on September 2018. The turbines will be installed from spring 2019.
