SSE Renewables has been granted planning permission for a solar farm located on lands near its existing 18 turbine Richfield Wind Farm at Bridgetown in County Wexford.
The project would be SSE Renewables’ first solar project in Ireland.
The company submitted its planning application for the solar development to Wexford County Council in September 2023, following a period of local public consultation.
The development comprises a 21MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) array operating in the townlands of Hooks and Yoletown and will share a grid connection with the existing 27MW Richfield Wind Farm in south Wexford, which has been operational since 2006.
Delivery of the project will be subject to SSE securing an economic route to market, as well as a final investment decision by the company to proceed to construction.
Additionally, changes to Ireland’s current grid connection regulations will be required so as to permit the new solar project to dynamically share the current export capacity of the existing wind farm, the developer said.
Combined wind and solar generation are expected to lead to more productive and resilient energy generation at Richfield.
This would further support efforts to meet Ireland’s target of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, while the use of shared grid infrastructure will help bring cost efficiencies for energy consumers.
If delivered, the Richfield solar project could increase the typical annual renewables output in the area by around 25%, generating enough additional solar energy to power the equivalent of 4,500 Irish homes annually.
This would be in addition to the wind energy output from the existing wind farm, which already generates enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 18,000 homes annually.
Garry Brides, senior project manager at SSE Renewables, said: “Through the Richfield Solar Farm development, SSE Renewables is demonstrating that developing and operating complementary renewable energy technologies beside each other can help maximise land usage and grid capacity, while also supporting the delivery of Ireland’s climate goals.
“Our ability to reach a positive final investment decision to begin construction will depend on a number of factors including changes to Ireland’s current grid connection regulations for hybrid connections.
“We note the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is expected to publish a policy decision on these reforms later this year and we’re ready to work closely with the Regulator, EirGrid and Government to remove any remaining barriers to the delivery of such hybrid connections.”
In addition to the renewable energy benefits of the proposed development, it would also help improve biodiversity in the area. Once delivered, SSE Renewables intend to plant 15% of the site area with native woodland species.
This will help meet the company’s own Biodiversity Net Gain targets and would be in line with requirements set out in the Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028.