SSE and FuturEnergy choose Nordex turbines for 60 MW wind project in Ireland – Energies Media

Report on the Drumnahough Wind Farm Project and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Summary

A strategic partnership has been formed between SSE, FuturEnergy, and the Nordex Group to develop a 60 MW wind energy project in Donegal, Ireland. The Drumnahough Wind Farm represents a significant investment in Ireland’s renewable energy infrastructure, directly contributing to national and global sustainability targets.

• Project Capacity: 60 MW
• Location: Donegal, Ireland
• Key Partners: SSE Renewables, FuturEnergy, Nordex Group
• Technology: 12 Nordex N133/4.8 wind turbines
• Service Agreement: Includes long-term construction, installation, and maintenance by Nordex.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Drumnahough project is a key contributor to several UN Sustainable Development Goals, underscoring the role of renewable energy in achieving a sustainable future.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

The project’s primary objective is to increase the availability of clean and affordable energy.

• It will expand Ireland’s renewable energy capacity, increasing the share of wind power in the national energy mix.
• Once operational, the farm is projected to generate sufficient electricity to power approximately 40,000 homes.
• This initiative directly supports the transition away from fossil fuels, enhancing energy independence and sustainability.

SDG 13: Climate Action

By generating electricity from a zero-emission source, the wind farm is a critical tool for climate change mitigation.

• The project will contribute to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
• It aligns with Ireland’s commitment to national and international climate action targets.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The development involves the deployment of advanced technology and the construction of resilient, sustainable infrastructure.

• The use of Nordex N133/4.8 turbines represents an investment in cutting-edge renewable energy technology.
• The wind farm itself is a durable and sustainable infrastructure asset designed for long-term energy production.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The collaboration between SSE, FuturEnergy, and Nordex exemplifies a successful international partnership for sustainable development.

1. The project unites Irish and UK development expertise with German manufacturing and engineering.
2. It builds upon a long-standing relationship between SSE and Nordex, which includes other major projects such as the 101 MW Yellow River wind farm in Ireland and joint developments in Spain.
3. Such cross-border collaborations are essential for mobilizing the finance, technology, and expertise needed to achieve global sustainability targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The entire article focuses on a 60 MW wind power project in Ireland. Wind power is a primary source of clean and renewable energy. The project’s goal to provide electricity for approximately 40,000 homes directly relates to increasing access to modern and clean energy.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article explicitly mentions “clean energy and emission reduction properties” of wind power. By developing renewable energy projects like the Drumnahough Wind Farm, Ireland is taking concrete action to combat climate change by reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The construction of a new wind farm represents a significant investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The use of advanced N133/4.8 wind turbines from Nordex showcases the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies in industrial processes and infrastructure development.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The project is a result of a partnership between multiple entities: SSE, FuturEnergy, and the German manufacturer Nordex. The article highlights the “long-standing relationship between SSE Renewables and Nordex” across projects in different countries (Ireland and Spain), exemplifying an effective international partnership to achieve sustainable energy goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • The development of a new “60 MW wind project” directly contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy in Ireland’s national energy mix.
2. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article states that the “government has been fostering investments in wind power” and is “advancing initiatives to grow the wind power sector.” This shows the integration of climate action (promoting renewables) into national energy strategy and planning.
3. Target 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes.
   • The construction of the Drumnahough Wind Farm using 12 modern N133/4.8 turbines is a direct example of building new, sustainable infrastructure based on clean technology.
4. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The collaboration between Irish and German companies (SSE, FuturEnergy, Nordex) to build the wind farm is a clear example of a private-private partnership aimed at advancing sustainable development.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 7.2:
   • The article provides specific quantitative data that can serve as indicators of increased renewable energy capacity. These include the “60 MW” capacity of the Drumnahough project and the “101MW” capacity of the Yellow River wind farm. These figures directly measure the addition of renewable energy to the grid.
2. For SDG 7 (Access to electricity):
   • An implied indicator is the number of households powered by the new project. The article states it will “provide enough electricity to cover the power consumption of around 40,000 homes,” which is a measurable outcome of the project’s contribution to energy access.
3. For Target 9.4:
   • The investment in and deployment of specific clean technologies can be an indicator. The article mentions the installation of “12 N133/4.8 wind turbines,” quantifying the adoption of modern, efficient, and environmentally sound technology.
4. For Target 17.17:
   • The number and scope of partnerships are implied indicators. The article details the specific partnership between “SSE, FuturEnergy, and Nordex” for this project and references other collaborative projects between SSE and Nordex in Ireland and Spain, indicating a sustained and successful partnership model.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: energiesmedia.com