Glasgow-based renewable consultancy Sgurr Energy has completed technical due diligence and resource assessments for GE Energy Financial Services’ equity investment in two onshore wind farms in the Republic of Ireland.
The consultancy conducted the lender’s engineer and wind analysis services for the 17.1mw Acres onshore wind farm in County Donegal and the 34.2mw Barranafaddock onshore wind farm in County Waterford.
The scope of work for the project – developed by Element Power and with a combined capacity of 51MW – included resource assessments, review of project participants and contractors, permitting review, review of civil, electrical and wind turbine design, grid connection, key contracts and construction schedule.
SgurrEnergy is now carrying out construction monitoring on behalf of GE Energy Financial Services for the duration of construction of both sites, expected to be completed in 2015. The wind farms are expected to generate enough electrical energy to power more than 33,300 homes in Ireland and avoid the emission of up to 75,000 tons of greenhouse gases.
The projects are among the first to utilise GE’s newly launched GE 2.85-103 wind turbine which has a higher rated capacity and larger rotor diameter to optimise wind energy generation.
Simon Luby, director of advisory services at SgurrEnergy, said: “Our integrated wind and technical due diligence service is backed by a strong knowledge of the local market and considerable ‘hands-on’ experience in project delivery.”