A NEW £13.4 million wind farm in Co Antrim has become operational.
The 9.2MW facility at Cloonty will generate enough power to meet the demand of more than 5,000 homes annually.
Built near Bushmills, it is the fourth wind farm completed by Belfast energy group Gaelectric.
The company has plans to provide 400MW worth of wind projects across Ireland.
Head of corporate affairs for Gaelectric Patrick McClughan said the opening of Cloonty "marks yet another important milestone for our business and further strengthens Gaelectric’s platform in the energy market".
“Our total permitted portfolio now stands at 140 MWs in Northern Ireland and represents a total investment of approx £170m," he said.
"This consolidates Gaelectric’s position as the largest indigenous renewable energy company in Northern Ireland, and we are proud to make a significant contribution to Northern Ireland’s renewable energy targets.”
Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Maura Hickey said the farm would have "a positive economic impact through job creation and the community benefit fund, which will provide financial support to local community and voluntary groups.
"I commend Gaelectric for this, and I would encourage all eligible groups in the area to take advantage of this funding."
In the last four years, Gaelectric has secured planning approval for nine wind farm developments in Northern Ireland.
Its first operational wind farm in in the north was a 13.8MW facility at Carn Hill, Newtownabbey while others include the 42MW Dunbeg wind farm and 12MW Monnaboy wind farm, both in Co Derry.
The firm was set up in 2004 and employs more than 100 people and has offices in Belfast, Dublin, Manchester, Chicago, and Montana.
