EDF Renewables has acquired Wexford Solar in Ireland and opened a new office in Dublin.
The acquisition includes a 100MW photovoltaic portfolio across eight projects.
Four of the Wexford Solar projects are consented and have been successful in the recent RESS 1 auction.
These include Blusheens (11.5MW), Coolroe (7.4 MW) and Curraghmartin (5.7 MW) which are all in County Wexford plus Stamullen (5.8 MW) in County Meath.
EDF Renewables plans to build these projects in 2021.
Four other projects are in the development phase.
They are Ballycarren (6MW) in County Wexford, Willville (5.7MW) in County Louth, Johnstown (15MW) in County Carlow and Athlone (45MW) in County Roscommon.
EDF Renewables said it is developing its portfolio in Ireland, having recently bought 50% of the Codling offshore wind farm, partnering with Fred Olsen, to develop and build the project.
The bigger office in Dublin will help accommodate the developer’s plans.
The office will be home to our Irish Head of Development Kevin Daly and a team of six others, which will potentially expand. The staff are working from home due to Covid-19.
EDF Renewables Ireland chief executive Matthieu Hue said: “The Wexford solar projects are an important addition to our portfolio of onshore and offshore wind developments which we pursue at pace.
“Also the recent appointment of Arno Verbeek as project director is great news for the Codling project which looks set to be the biggest offshore wind farm in Ireland with a capacity of up to 1.5GW.
“We are delighted by the progress we are making in Ireland, and will continue to grow and work with the Irish Government and communities to further demonstrate EDF Renewables commitment to support the country’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for 70% of renewable energy by 2030.”