Norwegian energy company Statkraft says it has won more capacity than any other company in the recently concluded renewable energy auction of Ireland the country's Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 1). The total capacity it has secured adds up to 330 MW, comprising 2 solar power projects of 276 MW combined capacity and 2 onshore wind projects adding up to 57 MW.
Recently, Ireland announced provisional results of the RESS 1 according to which solar has secured the largest share of 796 MW and onshore wind another 479 MW (see Solar Appears To Be Winning Over Wind In Irish Auction).
The 2 solar power projects won by Statkraft are identified as 78 MW Blundelstown Solar Farm and 198 MW Gallanstown Solar Farm. The Norwegian company says it will move swiftly to bring these projects forward to investment decisions and enter construction over the next 12 months so as to bring the entire capacity online during 2022.
"This will require over €200 million ($237 million) investment in the Irish economy over the next number of years and demonstrates the benefit that the expansion in renewable energy can bring to Ireland especially in the current uncertain economic climate," said Statkraft's Ireland Managing Director Kevin O'Donovan.
For Statkraft, this win aids in its overarching ambition to achieve 6 GW of wind power and 2 GW of solar power assets by 2025. In October 2019, it completed the acquisition of 320 MW under development solar PV portfolio in Ireland from JBM Solar Limited for NOK 158 million and said that some of the projects will also participate in the RESS auctions without offering details (see Statkraft Acquires 320 MW Solar Portfolio In Ireland).
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