Officially open

PowerGen's first wind farm on Bessy Bell mountain in Northern Ireland was officially opened in September, although the turbines have been in operation a year. The electricity generated is bought by Northern Ireland Electricity.

PowerGen's first wind farm in Northern Ireland was officially opened by the Duke of Abercorn in September. The ten 500 kW Vestas turbines on Bessy Bell mountain have been supplying enough electricity to meet the needs of up to 6000 homes since they started operating a year ago, says PowerGen.

Bessy Bell is part of the Duke's Baronscourt Estate, near Newtownstewart in Col Tyrone. The wind farm is one of five wind schemes now operating in Northern Ireland with power purchase contracts from the province's first Non Fossil Fuel Obligation. All the electricity generated is bought by Northern Ireland Electricity. PowerGen is one of the UK's largest electricity companies.

The Duke of Abercorn congratulated those involved in the wind farm's development: "Today is a tribute to what they have achieved," he said.