Ireland set to house UK wind turbines to create renewable energy

UK and Ireland have signed an agreement that will see the installation of wind turbines across Offaly, Laois and Kildare among other locations in the future.

Millions of homes are expected to be powered through the wind farms in the coming years as some of the world's longest wind turbine structures are installed.

It could also lead to cheaper energy for small businesses on both side of the Irish Sea as renewable power is created.

Peter Hart, from Element Power, the firm involved in the scheme, told BBC News: "They will be spread around 40 clusters in five counties.

"We felt it was better to built slightly larger turbines but fewer of them and that's the best way to minimise the impact on the local area."

The proposal was first mooted in July last year, with 2,000 jobs expected to follow because of the €8 billion funding that is going into the project.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Last updated: 24th January 2013