ESB acquires British wind farms

Irish energy firm ESB has expanded its pioneering of renewables to Britain with the purchase of two British wind farms.

Government-owned Electrical Supply Board (ESB) acquired the Fullabrook Wind Farm in Devon and the West Durham Wind Farm in Co Durham.

The West Durham site already generates 24MW of electricity, and the Fullabrook site has planning permission for a 66MW farm.

ESB’s acquisitions are the first step in its plans to generate 200MW from UK wind farms by 2012.

Joe O’Mahoney, ESB’s head of wind development, said the UK is a “key market” for the firm.

“We are delivering on our strategic objectives to become a significant investor in the UK renewables market,” he said.

ESB plans to halve its carbon emissions within 12 years and to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2035.

The firm operates more than 120MW of wind generating capacity in Ireland, and is currently constructing a further 100MW.

An additional 200MW of capacity has been granted planning permission, with construction due to begin shortly.