The Irish Minister of Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has marked the official launch of the first solar PV factory that was developed as a joint venture by Irish semi-State companies ESB and Bord after Mona (BNM).
The 108 MW Timahoe North Solar Farm in County Koldare, Ireland, started commercial operation in April of this year. It received a contract Ireland’s Renewable Energy Support Scheme (Ress 2) Auction in 2022.
Timahoe North is the first of four solar energy plants planned under a co-development agreement between ESB and BNM, which offers up to 500 MW of solar capacity. As part of the Joint Venture, BNM, the largest energy supplier in Ireland, offers four areas of his land bench in Rosommon, Offaly and Kildare.
The two energy companies, which are the majority owned by the state but still work with commercial independence, emphasized the community benefit fund related to the site that will be used for the economic, ecological, social and cultural well -being of the local community.
Tom Donnellan, CEO of BNM, said: “Projects such as Timahoe North show how we use our countrybank, strategic partnerships and delivery options to offer clean, safe energy that supports economic growth, strengthens energy passenger and enables the transition from Ireland to a low -carbon economy.”
ESB and BNM have collaborated on energy projects since the development of the first generation of peat -fired power stations.
In June of this year, the last coal-fired power plant in Ireland, the ESB ownership of 915 MWypoint Power Station in County Clare, stopped operationsIreland make the 15one European country to completely withdraw power -fired power.
Figures from the Irish grid operator Eirgrid show that, on the occasion of the first coal -free month for Ireland, 32% of the electricity generated in July came from renewable sources. Solar energy grid was good for 5.7%.
July saw a new record of 798 MW Grid Connected Solar PV registered, a 30 MW increase on the previous record set in June.
