Ireland to build 'giant' wind turbines

2013-01-24 14:40

Wind energy like this one offshore in Dronten, the Netherlands, is viable for South Africa, an industry insider has said. (Peter Dejong, AP)

Cape Town – UK and Irish ministers will sign an agreement that could see some of the world's largest wind turbines built across the Irish midlands.

Stretching more than 180 metres in the air, the towers are set to generate energy for millions of UK homes from 2017.

The UK government said the Irish power is a cheaper form of renewable than offshore wind.

The power generated would be transferred to the UK via undersea cables that would join the grid at two points in Wales.

One of the developers, Element Power, says the plan would save UK consumers around £7bn over 15 years compared to other renewable sources.

But concerns are now growing that the turbines needed to provide the power will be of a size and scale not seen in Britain or Ireland before.

– For the full article visit BBC News.