Farrans is the main contractor on SSE Renewables’ 100MW Yellow River Wind Farm, which is currently under construction in Rhode, County Offaly.
Client
SSE Renewables
SSE Renewables commenced construction on Yellow River Wind Farm in November 2022 and the project is expected to be completed in summer 2024. Once complete, the wind farm will generate enough low-carbon renewable energy to power 66,000 homes annually and offset 65,000 metric tonnes of carbon per annum, contributing significantly to Ireland’s 2030 renewable energy targets.
Wind turbine supplier Nordex Group has been commissioned by SSE Renewables to manufacture, deliver and install a total of 29 of its N117/3600 turbines at the Yellow River project site.
Once operational, Yellow River will operate an annual Community Benefit Fund which will provide around €595,000 per annum for local initiatives, projects, clubs and amenities.
First convoys of the turbine components began in early December 2023 and will continue until April 2024. The turbine parts, including towers, nacelles, hubs and blades, are being delivered under Garda escort from Galway Port to the Yellow River site via the M6 and R400. The delivery route and programme – agreed in advance by turbine provider Nordex with Offaly County Council and An Garda Síochána – sees deliveries taking place in the early hours of the morning to ensure minimum disruption to local residents.
We are proud to play a key role in the delivery of this important project for SSE Renewables, one which will have a significant positive impact on the future of low-carbon energy generation in Ireland. In preparation for the turbine deliveries we have already completed 29 concrete pours each consisting of either 470m3 or 540m3 of concrete, we have built four bridges each with a 16m span and 26km of haul roads have been finished.
We have worked with our client and Nordex to ensure that the turbine delivery route has been made suitable to support the component deliveries from Galway Port to the site. Our next steps will be to finish the remaining six crane hardstandings in January, with collector network and cabling commissioning ongoing before site reinstatement.