New sculpture bench at Meenadreen Wind Farm - Photograpgh by Lorcan Doherty
A decommissioned turbine blade at Meenadreen Wind Farm has been transformed into a memorial sculpture, shelter, and seating area.
The sculpture was commissioned by Energia Group, of which Energia Renewables operates the Meenadreen Wind Farm, which is part of the Leghowney Loop that has spectacular views of the Bluestack Mountains.
Made from fibre-reinforced polymer, the turbine blade was replaced during maintenance in 2020 and has now been repurposed as a rest area for walkers passing through the Leghowney Loop. In addition to a 9-metre sculptural bench with picnic tables, the blade has been used to construct a memorial sculpture and shelter, which is dedicated to one of the original operation teams on the Meenadreen site.
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Brian Mullen, Head of Energia Renewables Operations, said: “Energia Group is aligned with the UN Sustainability Development Goals, and here at Meenadreen Wind Farm, sustainability is at the core of everything we do.
“Turbine blade structures are engineered to last for a long time. That creates challenges when it comes to repurposing them and giving them a second life, but seeing this blade transformed into a rest area for walkers shows how you can create a circular economy and repurpose renewable assets.”
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