Energia Group, a leading infrastructure investor and operator of renewable energy developments across the island of Ireland, hosted a visit to Drumlins Park Wind Farm for students from three local Co. Monaghan schools as part of Engineers Week (1 – 7 March).

Transition-year students with an interest in science and engineering from Largy College in Clones, Ballybay Community College and St Aidan’s Comprehensive in Cootehill learned about the recent construction of Drumlins Park and the day-to-day operation of the 8-turbine wind farm. They also got to quiz the construction and operations team on all aspects of wind energy and watch a drone demonstration used to inspect the blades from the ground.

Site Manager, David Gallagher, showed the students the safety equipment used to work on top of the turbines and took them inside one of the towers. He said he was impressed with the level of knowledge and interest the teenagers showed in the wind farm: “Engineers Week is a great opportunity to showcase Drumlins Park Wind Farm and highlight the many opportunities and different careers in Ireland’s rapidly expanding wind industry. As a qualified electrician, I was keen to join Energia Group and play my part in helping to power the energy transition.  We’re on the look-out for the next generation of engineers to join our growing team and I welcome the opportunity to talk to schools and inspire budding engineers in the potential of renewable energy.”

Clare Sherry, TY Coordinator at Largy College, said: “We’ve been looking at renewable energy in our geography classes and some of the students here today live near the wind farm, so they were really keen to get to see the turbines up close. This visit has really helped to focus on the different aspects of development, construction and operation – and the many career opportunities and various engineering roles.  Some of the teenagers here today are already thinking about studying engineering and will find this visit inspiring.”

Megan Smyth from St Aidan’s Comprehensive completed a 6-week course in engineering as part of her transition year studies. Looking up at one of the turbines, she said: “I’m interested in problem solving and was particularly interested in learning about how these turbine towers and blades were delivered all the way from Waterford Port through Monaghan Town and Newbliss and the preparations involved, assessing every corner and roundabout along the way.”

The visit to Drumlins Park Wind Farm was promoted by Monaghan Libraries, who have been organising a series of activities to promote Engineers Week for all ages. Amanda McCarville from Monaghan Libraries said: “We were delighted when Energia took part in our Science Week activities last November and knew straight away that a wind farm visit would be of huge interest to local TY students thinking about careers in STEM. There are so many career opportunities in engineering and a visit like this and chance to speak to engineers about their work in renewable energy is really fascinating.”

In the run up to Engineers Week, pupils from Gaelscoil Ultain in Monaghan Town also visited Drumlins Park Wind Farm. The children were delighted to see inside a turbine tower.  They have been working together in the classroom to build their own spinning turbines - made from everything from Lego to toilet rolls. The class will be taking a project on wind energy to the upcoming Science Blast show later this month and the wind farm visit will feature in their final project presentation.