Two semi-states have a €500m solar plan that could power nearly one-tenth of Irish homes

BORD NA MÓNA and ESB have announced plans to co-develop solar farms around Ireland as part of a renewable energy project worth up to €500 million.

The four solar farms, which could produce enough renewable energy for up to 150,000 homes, will be developed in Roscommon, Offaly and Kildare on stripped-out peat bogs – assuming they clear planning hurdles.

Both the semi-state organisations have already put €5 million on the table to kick-start the development.

The plan will be Bord na Móna’s first move into the solar-energy market, while ESB has already unveiled plans to develop up to 30 solar farms nationwide.

Last year, ESB issued a contract notice seeking help with the installation of renewable energy facilities, while the energy firm also invested €2.5 million Terra Solar – an Irish solar energy company.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, John Reilly, head of Bord na Móna’s renewable energy subsidiary PowerGen, said the farms will be built in stages and approximately 5,000 acres of Bord na Móna land has been assigned to the initial deployment of 500 megawatts (MW).

Ireland currently has no commercial solar industry, despite large-scale farms being fixtures both in the UK and across northern Europe.

The Republic, which is dependent on wind power for renewable power generation, is facing the prospect of significant EU fines for falling short on its agreed 2020 targets.

Ireland's main renewable resource is wind

Planning objections

Speaking about the solar development plans, Bord na Móna chief executive Mike Quinn said the industry in “its infancy here in Ireland” but does have huge potential.

Potential developments of solar farms in Ireland have hit the rocks in the past and stunted the growth of the sector on these shores.

In February, An Bord Pleanála upheld a ruling by Wexford County Council to deny planning permission for a large-scale solar farm to be built by Irish firm Highfield Solar.

One of the issues highlighted by planning authorities in its decision to deny planning permission was the fact that there is no “national guidance” for how solar farm applications should be assessed.

Reilly said that he expected Bord na Móna and ESB joint venture to meet objections.

“Our sites in the broader context could be described as quite remote, but in Bord na Móna we are very conscious that around our lands we have communities and neighbours.

“Would we expect the projects like this would receive a clear run to planning? Unfortunately, all energy infrastructure generally runs into challenges from a planning perspective. The important thing from our perspective is if you engage in meaningful discussion with neighbours, we feel we can make progress.”

Recently Cork County Council called on the government to produce national guidelines for solar farms, while local councillors passed a motion that requested the state to enforce a moratorium on solar farm developments in the Rebel County.

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