EDF Renewables Planning To Build 3 Solar Farms In Ireland

• EDF Renewables Ireland will break ground on its 1^st solar projects in the country in May 2021
• The 3 projects with a combined capacity of 17 MW will be located in Wexford and Kilkenny counties
• Construction is likely to last 10 months and completion is scheduled for February 2022

The renewable energy arm of French utility EDF Group, EDF Renewables is set to start construction on 3 solar farms in Ireland with a combined capacity of 17 MW through EDF Renewables Ireland. This will be the company's 1^st solar plants in the country. It believes these will be among the 1^st utility scale solar farms to be built in Ireland.

The 3 projects will have the following individual capacities:

• 5 MW Coolroe Solar Farm in Coolroe, Ballycullane, Co. Wexford
• 8 MW Blusheens Solar Farm in Killinick, Co. Wexford, and
• 4 MW Curraghmartin Solar Farm in Curraghmartin, Carrigeen, Co. Kilkenny

Groundbreaking is scheduled for May 2021. Construction is expected to last for 10 months, with completion due in February 2022 when this 17 MW capacity is calculated to generate enough electricity to be power more than 6,600 homes.

"We are delighted to be breaking ground on our first solar projects in Ireland," said Head of Development EDF Renewables Ireland, Kevin Daly. "Developing a diverse renewable energy mix is crucial if Ireland is to achieve its 2030 emissions targets, and these three new solar farms will make an important contribution to meeting these goals and providing consumers with affordable, low-carbon electricity."

The 3 projects were selected in the 1^sttender round of Renewable Electricity Support Scheme conducted by the Irish government in August 2020 (see Solar Appears To Be Winning Over Wind In Irish Auction).

All these are initial set of projects to start construction out of more than 100 MW capacity EDF Renewables Ireland added to its pipeline in the form of 8 projects after its acquisition of Wexford Solar Ltd. in October 2020.