Galway Wind Park
The 174MW Galway Wind Park, co-owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables, in Connemara’s Cloosh Valley, is Ireland’s largest and best performing onshore wind farm, generating more green energy than any other wind generation site on the island.
Galway Wind Park was developed by SSE Renewables and Coillte at a joint investment cost of over €280m, with €90m contributed to Irish Gross Domestic Product during construction, and €20m spent with local suppliers and contractors. The power generated at Galway Wind Park is provided to SSE’s retail arm SSE Airtricity, Ireland’s largest green energy provider.
Located south-west of Oughterard, Galway Wind Park comprises 58 Siemens 3MW wind turbines, each rated to the highest international standard and specifically engineered for the prevailing wind conditions at the Connemara site to optimise generation output performance.
As a result, Galway Wind Park produces enough renewable energy every year to power over 140,000 Irish homes. This means Galway Wind Park can power more than the equivalent of every home in Galway city and county. In a typical year, the green energy produced at Galway Wind Park will offset over 175,000 tonnes of harmful CO2 emissions.
| About Galway Wind Park | |
| Ownership | SSE Renewables / Greencoat Renewables |
| Location | County Galway |
| MW capacity | 174 |
| Number of turbines | 58 |
| Year site became operational | 2017 |
| Lifetime community funds value | The Galway Wind Park Community Fund launched in 2018 and is the largest annual fund of its kind in the country. The overall Fund, which totals €400,000-plus per annum, is paid annually in contributions to local groups and individuals via its Local Fund, Major Projects Fund, and Scholarship Fund. So far around €1.25 million has been presented to groups around the wind park. |
| Contact | We are here to answer your queries. Please get in contact with us using the details below, and our team will respond to you within two working days. Community Fund Team – E: [email protected] If your query relates to the operation of the wind farm, please contact: Wind Farm Operating Team – E: [email protected] |
^Total annual homes powered quoted based on installed capacity, historic onshore wind load factor of 40% at site, typical annual consumption (4,200kWh). * Quoted CO2 emissions abated based on typical annual MWh output and average CO2 Emissions in 2018 (0.291t/MWh) in the All-Island Single Electricity Market, and published by the CRU in its Fuel Mix Disclosure and CO2 Emissions for 2018, September 2019.
Follow the Galway Wind Way
The Galway Wind Way is our range of recreational trails at Galway Wind Park. Our trails, which total 48km across six distinct routes, are designed to be fun for the whole family, from the experienced explorer to the Sunday stroller (or roller – check out our buggy and wheelchair-accessible route!)
The Galway Wind Way takes you through the heart of wild and remote Connemara, a place rich in local stories and heritage. Our ancestors walked these hills as farmers and foresters. They hunted the birds and fish which still thrive today in their native habitats.
As you explore our trails, walkers can learn how the landscape of the Cloosh Valley has changed over hundreds of years. And how this place we call home has helped meet the evolving needs of local people and wildlife.
The wind turbines you can see along the Galway Wind Way represent the latest chapter in our story. Our need now is for renewable energy to help combat climate change, and Galway Wind Park is playing its part to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
For more information, please click here.