EDF Renewables Ireland is to start the building of three new solar farms in Wexford and Kilkenny this month.
The three projects will be among the first utility-scale solar farms to be built in Ireland and, once complete, will have a combined capacity of 17MW.
The Coolroe Solar Farm (5MW) is located in Coolroe, Ballycullane in Co Wexford, with the Blusheens Solar Farm (8MW) is in Killinick in Co Wexford and the Curraghmartin Solar Farm (4MW) is located in Curraghmartin, Carrigeen in Co Kilkenny.
The projects are the first to begin construction after EDF Renewables’ acquisition of 100% of Wexford Solar last year.
They include eight projects with over 100MW of capacity across the country.
Construction is expected to take up to ten months and is expected to be completed in February 2022 at the earliest.
The three new solar farms will together supply enough low-carbon electricity to power the equivalent of more than 6,600 homes.
Each project was successful in the first round of the Government’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme last year, which will see them supply electricity at a pre-agreed price.
Kevin Daly, Head of Development at EDF Renewables Ireland, said that developing a diverse renewable energy mix is crucial if Ireland is to achieve its 2030 emissions targets.
“These three new solar farms will make an important contribution to meeting these goals and providing consumers with affordable, low-carbon electricity,” Mr Daly said.