EDF Renewables Ireland is to start construction of three new solar farms in Wexford and Kilkenny this month.

The three projects will be among the first utility-scale solar farms to be built in Ireland and, once complete, will have a combined capacity of 17MW.

Coolroe Solar Farm (5MW) is located in Coolroe, Ballycullane, Co Wexford, with Blusheens Solar Farm (8MW) in Killinick, Co Wexford, while Curraghmartin Solar Farm (4MW) is located in Curraghmartin, Carrigeen, Co Kilkenny.

The projects are the first to begin construction following EDF Renewables’ acquisition of 100% of Wexford Solar Ltd last year, which included eight projects with over 100MW of capacity across the country.

Construction

Head of development at EDF Renewables Kevin Daly said these new solar farms will make an important contribution to meeting Ireland’s 2030 emissions targets

“We are committed to working hand-in-hand with communities, and are engaging with local residents in Wexford and Kilkenny to keep them updated on the projects and the construction process as they develop.”

Construction is expected to take up to 10 months, to be completed in February 2022 at the earliest, and the three new solar farms will together supply enough low-carbon electricity to power the equivalent of more than 6,600 homes.