Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien has officially launched the first large-scale solar power project developed as a joint venture between ESB and BnM, formerly known as Bord na Móna.
Timahoe North Solar Farm, located in the townland of Timahoe in Co Kildare about 3km south of Johnstownbridge, has a maximum power potential of 108 megawatts of electricity.
It is enough to power about 25,000 homes in ideal circumstances.
The project is the first of four major solar farms to be co-developed by the ESB and BnM as part of a wider 500 megawatt solar power partnership agreement signed in 2017.
It has been fully operational since earlier this year.
A Community Benefit Fund has been established as part of the operation of the site.
The fund will be used for economic, environmental, social and cultural wellbeing of the local community.
Official figures from EirGrid show solar power contributed a record 798 megawatts of electricity from grid-connected solar farms last month.
That is 4% more solar power than the previous monthly high.
Ireland now has over 1.6 gigawatts of solar PV capacity installed and solar power is the fastest growing renewable electricity source in the country.
It is highly complementary to wind generation, provides a more stable and balanced energy supply over time, and is helping to rapidly transform Ireland’s energy system.
The official figures show that close to 6% of all the electricity used in Ireland in July this year was supplied directly from the sun.
Minister O’Brien described the Timahoe North Solar Farm as a big step in the growth of solar power in Ireland.
“For the midlands region, it is yet another example of how this part of the country can support Ireland as a whole to achieve its ambitious climate targets.
“Last year, 40% of Ireland’s electricity supply came from renewable sources. I look forward to seeing more projects like this being delivered as they are so important for our transition to clean, secure, and more affordable electricity,” he said.
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ESB Chief Executive Paddy Hayes said the project will help support ESB’s Net Zero carbon emissions targets.
“Solar is an increasingly important part of Ireland’s energy mix and this successful investment at Timahoe North will deliver low carbon electricity for homes, farms and businesses for many years to come,” he said.
Chief Executive of BnM Tom Donnellan said the project represents an important milestone for his company and is the first of a series of solar farms BnM is developing with the potential to deliver up to 500 megawatts of renewable electricity.
