Engie has announced the contract award for construction of three new solar farms in Ireland, its first onshore renewable projects in the country.
Engie has appointed Engie Astatine and TLI Group to build the assets.
Located in the counties of Galway and Limerick, the sites will have a combined installed capacity of 18MWp and generate enough electricity to provide affordable, clean power to 4100 homes.
The solar farms in Ardnadoman, Dromsallagh and Rooaun are part of six projects – with a cumulative capacity of 60MWp – awarded under the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS) 3 auction in 2023.
Construction of the initial three solar farms is expected to begin in January 2025, with a projected commissioning date of the second half of 2025.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, Engie will also establish a community benefit fund for each solar farm.
This fund will allocate approximately €34,000 per year to support local communities, with oversight provided by a dedicated fund manager in Ireland.
Suresh Bhaskar, managing director of Renewables at Engie UK and Ireland, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, said: “We are delighted to be investing in renewable energy in Ireland for the first time, demonstrating Engie’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio in the country.
“These solar farms will not only contribute to the country’s clean energy mix but also bring significant economic and environmental benefits to local communities. We are excited to work with our partners to help deliver the Irish energy transition.”