Ireland's first wind farm decommissioned in north Mayo

Bord na Móna completed the successful decommissioning of their oldest commercial wind farm in north Mayo which involved the removal of 21 turbines.

The Bellacorick Wind Farm which was Ireland's oldest commercial wind farm was decommissioned last week, over 33 years after it first opened on October 12, 1992. The windfarm originally had an expected operational lifecycle of 25 years and during its lifetime generated enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 4,500 homes per annum.

The decommissioning of Bellacorick Wind Farm which commenced in November 2025 will make way for the development of Phase 3 of Oweninny Wind Farm, Ireland’s largest onshore wind farm. The community in Bellacorrick has a long history with Bord na Móna, now rebranded as BnM, of delivering energy for Mayo. This project will facilitate BnM’s further investment in the area delivering the most up to date renewable energy generation technology.

Just one of the 18 turbines to be installed as part of Phase 3 of Oweninny Wind Farm has the potential to provide as much energy generation as all of the 21 turbines at Bellacorick Wind Farm combined.

Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy, Alan Dillon TD, said: “Bellacorick Wind Farm holds a key place in Ireland’s renewable energy history. Its development more than 30 years ago demonstrated real leadership and foresight by BnM as Ireland embarked upon its renewable energy journey, a journey which has seen the evolution of a strong renewable energy landscape over its lifetime. 

“The decommissioning of the site to make way for modern renewable infrastructure as part of Oweninny Wind Farm, reflects how far Ireland has progressed in delivering a sustainable energy future.”

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Tom Egan, BnM Head of Asset Management, said: “Bellacorick stands as a milestone in Ireland’s renewable energy journey. Its successful full lifecycle reflects the pioneering role it played in shaping the country’s clean energy future. As we transition the site into Oweninny Phase 3, we’re unlocking further potential for next-generation renewable energy powered by cutting-edge, more efficient technology—driving progress toward a sustainable Ireland.”

As part of the decommissioning programme, turbine components from Bellacorick Wind Farm are being recycled by Plaswire, a specialist materials company that participated in BnM’s 2025 Accelerate Green programme, a dedicated accelerator programme helping sustainability focused companies to scale their businesses.

Plaswire has developed a solution to ensure wind turbine components are processed, repurposed and reintroduced into manufacturing, rather than being sent to landfill. This approach supports a circular economy model by repurposing materials, reducing waste and lowering the overall environmental footprint associated with renewable energy infrastructure.

Andrew Billingsley, CEO of Plaswire, said: “End-of-life turbine materials present a real challenge for the renewable energy sector. Our work at Bellacorick shows how these materials are being recovered and repurposed into new sustainable and circular construction products, no longer a waste. By creating practical circular solutions, we are helping to reduce the environmental footprint of wind energy and support a more sustainable future.”