The last wind turbine of what was Ireland's first commercial wind farm at Bellacorick in Co Mayo has been dismantled.
The clearance and decommissioning by BnM is to make way for an expansion of the adjacent Oweninny wind farm, which is already the largest wind farm in Ireland.
The old Bellacorick wind farm, which had 21 wind turbines, was first opened by Bord Na Móna in 1992 and could supply about 6.5 megawatts - enough electricity for the annual needs of about 4,500 homes.
Its turbines stretched to a height of between 46 and 53 metres at their tip.
They will now be replaced with 18 far larger turbines with a tip height of up to 200 metres.
Each one of the new wind turbines will be capable of supplying more power to the national electricity grid than was generated by the entire Bellacorick wind farm.
Those 18 new turbines will be added to 60 very large turbines already operating on the adjacent Oweninny wind farm.
Those newer turbines at Oweninny have a tip height of 176m and a capacity to produce 192 megawatts of electricity - enough power for 140,000 homes and businesses.
The decommissioning works at Bellacorick began last November and the dismantling of the last turbine marks a significant and historic milestone in Ireland's renewable energy journey.
Bellacorick Wind Farm has delivered renewable energy for Ireland since it was first opened on 12 October, 1992, and has exceeded its expected operational lifecycle of 25 years.
BnM said the community in Bellacorrick has a long history of delivering energy for Mayo and this project will facilitate its further investment in the area delivering the most up to date renewable energy generation technology.
As part of the decommissioning programme, turbine components from Bellacorick are being recycled by a company called Plaswire, a specialist materials company.
Plaswire has developed a solution to ensure wind turbine components are processed, repurposed and reintroduced into manufacturing, rather than being sent to landfill in line with the circular economy.
It reduces waste and lowers the overall environmental footprint associated with renewable energy infrastructure.
Minister of State Alan Dillon said Bellacorick holds a key place in Ireland's renewable energy history and the decommissioning of the site "to make way for modern renewable infrastructure as part of Oweninny Wind Farm, reflects how far Ireland has progressed in delivering a sustainable energy future."
BnM Head of Asset Management Tom Egan said: "As we transition the site into Oweninny Phase 3, we’re unlocking further potential for next-generation renewable energy powered by cutting-edge, more efficient technology - driving progress toward a sustainable Ireland."
