Wedoany.com Report-Nov 7, French power utility Engie SA (EPA:ENGI) is preparing to start construction of its first onshore renewable projects in Ireland, three solar farms with a combined capacity of 18 MWp in the counties of Galway and Limerick.
The company said on Wednesday it has awarded the contract for the assets’ construction to Engie Astatine and TLI Group. Building work is set to start in January 2025, with commissioning anticipated in the second half of 2025.
The three solar parks, located in Ardnadoman, Dromsallagh and Rooaun, are expected to generate enough power for 4,100 homes. They form part of a 60-MWp portfolio of six projects that was successful in the Irish government’s Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) 3 auction in 2023.
Suresh Bhaskar, managing director of Renewables at Engie UK and Ireland, said the investments demonstrates Engie’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio in the country. Engie plans to set up a community benefit fund for each solar farm, which will provie some EUR 34,000 (USD 36,000) per year to local communities.
According to a June 2024 report by the Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA), Ireland has 1,185 MW of solar capacity, including 594 MW of utility-scale solar across 13 projects.