Global renewable energy company Ørsted has entered into a landowner lease agreement with one of Ireland’s largest dairy farmers to explore options for renewable energy production at the farm.
Greenhills farm in east Cork has a number of agricultural uses from sugar beet production to dairy.
As part of the new agreement, the site now has potential to be utilised for renewable energy generation.
This agreement forms part of Ørsted’s plans for a 250 MW export capacity solar development, which has the potential to power at least 52,000 homes.
“A landowner lease agreement is a significant milestone, but it is also a very early step on the journey to developing a renewable energy project,” said TJ Hunter, Vice President Onshore Ireland & UK.
“We can now begin to detail a project to start the planning process and continue to engage closely with the local community and stakeholders to establish the right approach for the area.
“This area has some of the country’s best solar energy generating conditions, and when completed, this project has the potential to generate enough renewable energy to power in excess of 52,000 homes,” he added.
Tom, Elizabeth and Simon Browne, the family behind Greenhills farm, said they are excited to work with the Ørsted team to rethink the future of their farm.
“We are proud to have built a reputation as a leader in Irish dairy and we are proud now to play a role in providing reliable renewable energy generation,” the family said.
Ørsted’s portfolio currently includes 373 MW of onshore wind across the island of Ireland.
In solar, the near-term pipeline currently stands at over 700 MW.
