A deal worth €220m has been signed by BNRG Renewables and French renewable energy group Neoen to construct 23 solar projects in Ireland, creating 60 full-time jobs in the process.
The joint solar venture between the two companies will be called BNRG Neoen Holdings and will oversee the construction, development and running of solar projects in the south and east of the country.
When fully operational, it is expected that the total capacity of the site will be 200MW, making it one of the largest of its kind in Ireland, with a total expected investment of €220m.
Organisers have said that the overall project will create up to 60 full-time positions in operation and maintenance and another 2,000 jobs during the construction phase, along with other indirect jobs.
Construction is expected to commence in mid-2018 with the final projects to be constructed by 2020.
Over the coming months, multiple projects will be submitted for planning. It is widely expected that large-scale solar projects will be given the green light to support the Government’s plans to bolster the country’s renewable energy capacity.
The solar parks and farms will connect to the distribution grid network and will meet the electricity demand of around 80,000 homes locally. Construction of the first project will take place in Co Down, with a capacity of 13.5MW.
€230m of solar projects in Europe
Dublin-based BNRG Renewables has already developed and constructed more than €230m of solar projects in Europe since 2007, including the completion last year of a portfolio of more than 20MW of projects, which it owns and operates in the UK.
Speaking of the partnership, BNRG Renewables’ director David Maguire said: “This unique partnership represents a significant investment in renewable energy in Ireland and will be well positioned to deliver first-class projects, and real value to the Irish consumer.
“We are delighted to partner with Neoen on our Irish portfolio and look forward to working closely together. There is an excellent strategic alliance between the two groups as both continue to expand their activities in Ireland and internationally.”
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