Perigus Energy marks 20 years in Kilgarvan by supporting International Orienteering Cup event

Perigus Energy (formerly Ørsted onshore) celebrated 20 years of renewable energy generation at its wind farm in Kilgarvan, County Kerry by welcoming more than 2,000 international orienteering enthusiasts from 36 countries who are participating in the Kerry Festival of Orienteering that incorporates the international Orienteering Cup (OOCup) 2026. 

Since the first wind turbines arrived at the site 20 years ago, the 45 MW wind farm’s 15 Vestas V90 turbines have generated over 1.82 TWh of electricity. That is enough to power the equivalent of 26,000 Irish homes each year, boil more than 16.5 billion kettles and avoid approximately 465,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. Perigus Energy will extend the lifetime of Kilgarvan Wind Farm or repower it using new turbines to ensure its steady and proven contribution continues.  

The OOCup brings competitors and visitors from around the world to Kerry with participants ranging in age from 8 to over 80. Perigus Energy is making the wind farm available as a competition venue and providing a €20,000 contribution from the Kilgarvan Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund for the week-long event.  

Marking the event, Seán Kelly, MEP for Ireland South, said: 

“Running the prestigious international Orienteering Cup, in collaboration with the local community and Kerry Orienteering Club volunteers, is a testament to the long-standing role that the Perigus Energy Team plays in the area. Wind farms like Kilgarvan play their part, across Ireland and Europe, to secure locally produced energy for greater autonomy and security of energy supply from global energy shocks. They are the bedrock of our energy system and must be maintained and repowered for decades to come.” 

Kieran White, CEO of Perigus Energy added: 

“We are delighted to welcome competitors and visitors from around the world to Kilgarvan Wind Farm for the OOCup 2026, and it is a fitting way to celebrate 20 years at this remarkable site. We are proud of the role the wind farm has played in delivering clean, home-grown energy while also supporting the local community. Kilgarvan has been an integral part of our story in Ireland and will continue to play an important role in Perigus Energy’s future for many years to come.” 

Brendan O’Brien, Kerry Orienteers Manager of the OOCup 2026, said: 

“We have been planning this event for years and the support from partners such as Perigus Energy has been critical. By making Kilgarvan Wind Farm open to the event, which is the biggest ever held in Ireland, we have created an unrivalled spectacle for competitors and memories that will last a lifetime. The Community Benefit Fund unlocked our potential to run the event to the highest standards. Kerry Orienteers are proud to have brought this event to Ireland and to showcase the world class orienteering that can be done in our backyard.” 

Perigus Energy has an operational onshore wind portfolio of 373 MW across Ireland, generating enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of up to 250,000 homes. A further 179 MW of projects is currently under construction across the island. 

In Kerry, Perigus Energy has three active wind farms which have a combined capacity of generating 86 MW of green energy across 38 wind turbines, the equivalent of powering over 53,000 Kerry homes in a year.  

Through its Community Benefit Fund, €360,000 has been awarded in Kerry for community initiatives since 2017. Glenflesk NS, Kilgarvan Central School and Kilgarvan GAA Club are all among the previous funding recipients  from the initiative. This month, Perigus Energy announced that €75,000 is available for Kerry communities in 2026 as part of its Community Benefit Fund.