Wind Energy Ireland CEO Noel Cunniffe has expressed disappointment at the capacity awarded in provisional results from Irish grid operator EirGrid.
“While we’re delighted to see five of our projects win contracts we had hoped for a bigger auction and to see more projects get over the line,” Cunniffe said of the 219MW of wind projects that came away with contracts.
The trade group head added: “Our priority now is to focus on finding an alternative route to market for those unsuccessful projects while preparing for next year’s auction by working with the Government to get more wind farms out of the planning system and with secure grid connections.”
Irish grid operator EirGrid provisionally selected 23 projects in the Irish Government’s fifth Onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme, out of the 33 that submitted an offer for the auction.
Eighteen solar projects amounting to 860MW were also awarded contracts, in addition to the five wind projects.
A further 142MW of wind capacity and 250MW of solar capacity was unsuccessful in the auction.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien praised the results.
He said: “I am very pleased to confirm the success of the RESS 5 auction, which has provisionally secured enough clean power for over 350,000 homes.
“With this volume of new clean electricity, we are not only reducing carbon emissions and dependence on imported fuels but also generating investment and jobs in communities across the country.”
The average strike price of the successful applicants was €96.56/MWh for wind projects, and €100.63/MWh for solar.
Altogether 1500GWh of energy quantity was provisionally successful, split between 670.96GWh of wind and 829GWh of solar.
RWE’s 81.6MW Lyrenacarriga wind farm on the Cork-Waterford border was the largest wind farm selected, while a quartet of 100MW-plus solar farms were awarded contracts.
A total of 40 schemes applied for to participate in the qualification process. Four projects did not qualify, and three more formally withdrew from the auction.
Implementation agreements and performance bonds from the winners are due 3 December.