Two solar developments have awarded contracts in the second renewable electricity support schedule (Ress) of Ireland in 2022, have reached new milestones, with one in construction and a new new operational.
Neoen starts with the construction in County Wicklow
Neoen has granted a notification to continue the construction of the 21.7 MWP Threecastles Solar Power Station.
It is expected that it will come online in 2026 and will benefit from the contracts for the difference (CFD) mechanism until 2040.
It is the second sun site developed by Neoen in County Wicklow, Ireland. It will become a member of the Operational Millvale Solar Farm that was awarded on Ress 1 and the first solar power plant mounted on the ground was that connected to the schedule in the Republic of Ireland.
Sheep will graze on the vegetation around the PV panels of the sun that forms the development. This practice, Agrivoltaics, ensures vegetation maintenance and means that the agricultural activity can continue on the country where the Threecastles will be Solar Farm.
Under Turnkey EPC contracts, Omexom will construct the Zonne -PV factory and the TLI group connects the route on site and grid.
This brings the Independent Power Producer’s (IPPs) Renewable energy capacity under construction or operational in Ireland up to 210 MW. This total includes eight wind plants of a total of 53 MW in operation.
The Irish solar portfolio of Neoen comprises three operational locations of a total of 58 MWp. Under construction is the largest solar development of the IPP in the country, the 79 MWP Ballinknockane Solar project that also benefits from a CFD in Ress 2.
In the most recent Ress auction Secure Neoen 170 MWP for two solar projects: a development of 29 MWP in County Wicklow and Garr Solar, a 141 MWP project in County Offaly. These two projects are expected to be submitted on behalf of 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Gaskinstown Solar Plant Energized
Irish grid operator Eirgrid has a 110kv Deenes station in the province of Meath, a process that takes place next to the energy of the 85 MW/93MWP Gaskinstown Solar PV factory.
Developed by Highfield Solar, a joint venture (JV) by IB Vogt, Highfield Energy and Aura Power, the solar park was also supported by a contract protected in Ress 2. Highfield Solar also insured € 65 million (£ 54.4 million) in debt finance for the project last year.
The financing was provided by cooperative Rabobank UA, who worked with the JV, founded in 2014, by various Irish PV projects.
