Ikea to buy second wind farm from Mainstream

Ikea plans to buy a second wind farm from Irish energy company Mainstream Renewable Power as part of plans to invest £1.5 billion (€1.7 billion) in wind and solar programmes by 2015.

Mainstream is currently building the 20-turbine wind farm in Alberta, Canada, (pictured) at a cost of €63 million. The project is expected to be operational next autumn, at which point the furniture giant will purchase the plant. As part of the deal Mainstream will continue to operate and maintain the wind farm on behalf of Ikea.

Mainstream chief executive Eddie O’Connor said the project was a significant investment in Alberta’s renewable energy future and one “that is badly needed”.

"This wind farm will deliver power to the Alberta grid at the prevailing market price, and is a clear demonstration that wind generation is a viable form of electricity production and one that cannot be ignored." Ikea Canada president Kerri Molin said the Alberta wind farm, along with existing solar installations at three of the company's Ontario stores, marked a significant step in achieving Ikea's global ambition to be energy independent by 2020.

The wind farm will be the second sold by Mainstream to the furnishings retailer. In August Ikea announced it was buying a wind farm in northwest Leitrim to power its stores in Belfast and Dublin.