How can AIS Wind Energy Support Onshore Wind Farms in Ireland?
AIS Wind Energy has an impressive track record in Europe’s onshore wind energy industry. We work closely with wind farm operators in the Republic of Ireland to ensure the successful construction, installation and operation of wind farms.
Having worked closely with onshore wind energy providers across Europe for years – we know all too well the harsh commercial realities of wind energy production. Countering the onerous cost of downtime, ensuring reliable operations and maximising the value of a wind turbine over the course of its lifetime all require specialist support and expertise.
No matter the scale of the project or its location, our team has the knowledge, expertise, resources, equipment and reach to deliver tailored support and to assist Ireland in its pursuit of 8GW of onshore wind energy generation by 2030.
Wind Turbine Installation
Ireland’s installed onshore wind energy capacity has been increasing steadily over the last decade. With the government’s pledge to hit 8GW by 2030, we expect to see more wind farms in development. We have vast expertise, having supported various wind farms and offer onshore wind turbine installation services, including logistics support and specialist lifting provision.
As part of AIS Group, we offer unrivalled complex lifting expertise and can load and transport turbines from the factory directly to the site ahead of assembly and subsequent commissioning. Our full-service approach also includes ensuring all documentation and necessary permits are in place for complete ease of transit and peace of mind.
Wind turbine installation services include:-
- Creation of a detailed method statement.
- Carrying out all health and safety checks and risk assessments to ensure a safety-first project.
- Loading, transportation and on-site offloading of turbines.
- Lifting the wind turbine and all components into position.
- Fixing wind turbine components in place on site.
- Mechanical and electrical fit-out ahead of commissioning.
Wind Turbine Maintenance and Servicing
Regular scheduled maintenance and servicing of wind turbines is crucial to ensuring optimum efficiency and maximum energy output.
AIS Wind Energy supports wind farm operators in the Republic of Ireland by devising and delivering schedule maintenance programmes to minimise costly downtime.
Our specialist service technicians are fully trained and certified to isolate turbines and deliver all required inspections, maintenance, and checks.
Wind turbine maintenance and servicing expertise includes:-
- Create a service schedule with issued reminders so essential maintenance tasks are never missed.
- All planning and liaison with maintenance teams.
- Specialist isolation of turbines ahead of any maintenance work taking place.
- Completing maintenance tasks such as inspecting, lubricating, cleaning, and repairing blades, tower sections, couplings, gearboxes, generator blade bearings and main ring bearings.
- Delivery of vital checks and inspections.
We do not carry out reactive maintenance on faulty wind turbines or provide fault location services.
Wind Turbine Decommissioning
When a wind turbine has reached the end of its life, decommissioning has to occur before the asset can be removed, either to make way for a new turbine or to return the land to its original state.
AIS Wind Energy provides a complete decommissioning service for operators in the Republic of Ireland, which sets out project timescales, considers location and site access, outlines the resources and heavy lifting equipment required and identifies the stages needed to decommission the turbine(s) swiftly and safely.
Once the plan is agreed upon, AIS Wind Energy experts disconnect electrics, remove components and dismantle turbines before lifting them onto transportation for redeployment, recycling or upgrading.
Wind turbine decommissioning services include:-
- Creation of a complete method statement and all risk assessments and safety plans.
- Safe isolation and disconnection of turbines.
- Component removal.
- Lifting of the wind turbine from the tower.
- Loading and transportation to the turbine’s new owner, yard or scrap supplier.
Wind Turbine Component Replacement
Periodic component replacements will be required during a wind turbine’s operational life – whether it’s wind turbine blades, gearboxes, generators, blade bearings or main ring bearings.
AIS Wind Energy supports wind farm operators in Ireland by retrofitting and replacing key components to prolong turbine lifespan, maximise efficiency and minimise costly breakdowns.
Wind turbine component replacement services include:-
- Creation of a component replacement plan, method statement and risk assessment.
- Isolation of the electricity to ensure safe component replacement.
- Disconnection and removal of old parts
- Lifting and positioning on the new component
- Commissioning support via a variety of experts within our network.
Wind Turbine Commissioning
Following construction and before formal handover and power generation, wind turbines must be commissioned to ensure they have been installed correctly and to the highest standards.
AIS Wind Energy can manage the entire commissioning process for wind farm operators in the Republic of Ireland – proving that the turbines perform efficiently and meet the system’s specifications. By devising and delivering a bespoke commissioning programme and working to strict Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSRs), we help operators keep turbines turning, both safely and efficiently.
Wind turbine commissioning services include:-
- Creation of a complete method statement and risk assessment for the wind turbine commissioning project.
- Carrying out all health and safety checks, risk assessments and regulatory checks.
- Managing all necessary liaisons with suppliers and electrical contractors.
- Handover to the operations and maintenance team.
Why Choose Us?
AIS Wind Energy has installed, commissioned, maintained and decommissioned hundreds of wind turbines across the UK and Europe.
Well placed to support the Republic of Ireland’s rapidly growing onshore wind farm sector, AIS Wind Energy is committed to helping operators increase wind energy output and achieve the country’s goal of generating 8GW of onshore wind power by 2030.
We are focused on delivering all onshore wind farm projects, irrespective of size, location or complexity, with AIS Wind Energy’s trademark approach of safety and efficiency. We are a safety-first business and operate under strict Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSRs).
As part of the AIS Group, we have vast experience in complex heavy lifting, a highly trained and capable in-house team, and the vehicles and specialist lifting equipment required to provide specialist support to wind farms across the Republic of Ireland.
Contact Us
Get in touch with the team for more information about our specialist wind turbine services in the Republic of Ireland.
What Onshore Wind Farms are based in Ireland?
Onshore wind power has increased since the Republic of Ireland commissioned its first commercial wind farm in Bellacorrick, Country Mayo, in 1992. There are now 300 operational onshore wind farms in the Republic, collectively generating 4,332.5 MW of power as of May 2022.
The top five onshore wind farms in the Republic of Ireland, based on installed capacity, are:
Galway Wind Park in Connemara, County Galway
Completed in 2017, Galway Wind Park is Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm and comprises 58 Siemens 3MW turbines. The site is owned by SSE Renewables and Greencoat Renewables.
It is located in Connemara’s Cloosh Valley. It has become the country’s poster child of onshore wind energy, generating more than any other site at 174 megawatts –enough to power 140,000 homes and offset more than 175,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
Knockacummer in Cork
This 100 megawatt onshore wind project is located to the north west of Cork and comprises 40 2.5MW Nordex turbines. Owned and operated by Greencoat Renewables, the Knockacummer site has been in operation since 2014. Development of the site also required the construction of 24 km of site access roads.
Meenadreen II, Donegal
Another onshore wind farm that came online in 2017, Meenadreen II is operated by Energia and comprises 38 2.5MW Nordex turbines with an installed capacity of 95 megawatts. Located in Leghowney, at the mouth of the Eske River and to the south of Donegal, the area commands fantastic views of the Bluestack Mountains, Liugh Eske and St John’s Point.
Mount Lucas, Offaly
In central Ireland, in the county of Offaly, Mountlucas generates 84 megawatts of power from its 28 3MW Siemens wind turbines and powers 50,000 homes annually. Operational since 2014, the Mountlucas wind farm is located in Mountlucas bog – 1,100 hectares of cutaway Peatlands which form part of the Derrygreenagh group of bogs which cross the counties of Kildare, Offaly and Westmeath.
As well as generating power for local homes, the site is popular with cyclists, walkers, runners and local schools. More than 230,000 visits have been made to its 10km amenity facility since it opened.
Meentycat, Donegal
Operational since 2004, the Meentycat wind farm in Donegal generates 88.5 megawatts of electricity each year and is owned by SSE Renewables. The site features 38 Siemens 2.3MW turbines from the first phase of its development. In 2009, 9.2MW four turbine Cark and 6.9MW three turbine Meenbog extensions were commissioned. The wind farm is situated in the Cark mountains north of Ballybofey, powers 59,000 homes and saves more than 58,500 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
