20 of the Biggest Solar Farm projects in Ireland
Written by
Briain Kelly
Last edited
03/10/2024
Solar power is going to play a huge role in the future of the Irish energy industry, with at least 8GW of capacity to be delivered by 2030 according to current targets.
This will come through multiple pipelines, from small scale self-consumption in rooftop solar on homes, farms, and small businesses, right up to utility scale solar farms.
The government has been actively encouraging the growth of utility scale solar in recent years through measures such as the Renewable Energy Support Scheme. The latest RESS 4 auction concluded only this month, with awards given to 959.84MW worth of solar projects.
Below is a list of some of the largest solar farms in Ireland which are either already connected and producing electricity, under construction, or in the planning stages.
1. Gallanstown Solar Farm – 198MW
Status – Active
Coming online in 2022 Gallanstown Solar Farm in Co. Meath is owned by Octopus Renewables Ltd, a UK investment trust which invests in renewable energy infrastructure.
The 198MW solar farm, located outside the town of Ashbourne, first received planning approval in 2018. It was the largest solar farm in Ireland to date, covering an area of 500 acres.
2. Clonfad Solar Farm – 175MW
Status – Under Construction
Currently under construction by Statkfraft, the Clonfad solar farm will be one of the largest in the country. Located in Co. Westmeath, the solar PV development will comprise more than 300,000 solar panels when completed.
3. Garrenleen Solar Farm – 160MW
Status: Under Construction
Owned by Ørsted after acquiring it from Terra Solar this solar farm near Carlow Town will be capable of powering up to 56,000 homes when it is completed.
The project is expected to be delivered in two phases, with the first 81MW phase to come online in 2025, and the second 79MW phase expected to be completed in 2026.
4. Garr Solar – 141MW
Status – Announced
One of the newest announced solar farms in Ireland, Neoen secured an award for the 141MW solar farm in county Offaly in the latest RESS 4 auction.
The solar project is still in its very early stages and isn’t expected to be delivered until 2028.
5. Lysaghtstown Solar Farm – 131MW
Status – Under Construction
The Lysaghtown Solar Farm in Co. Cork, owned by Power Capital Renewable Energy, will cover 373 acres and have a total export capacity of 131MW when it comes online, making it one of the largest solar farms in the country.
The solar farm is currently under construction by French company Voltalia, and is expected to become operational in 2024.
6. Ballyroe Solar – 120MW
Status – Announced
Soleire Renewable SPV secured an award for the planned 120MW solar farm in Co. Cork in the RESS 2 auction in 2022, having received planning permission the previous year.
The project has yet to begin construction, and is unlikely to begin commercial power production before 2026.
7. Swordleton Solar – 120MW
Status – In Development
Grant approved for Strategic Power Projects Limited in north Co. Kildare near Punchelstown. When this solar farm is built it will comprise some 197,010 ground-mounted solar panels on a 112ha site.
8. Milltown Solar Farm – 120MW
Status – Announced
Milltown Solar Farm is a large scale solar project being undertaken by Harmony Solar in Co. Meath. The 115MW project received final planning approval from An Bord Pleanála in 2022, and won a contract in the latest RESS 4 auction.
The 115MW solar farm near the town of Kells is expected to be connected and operation by 2028.
9. Rathnaskilloge Solar Farm – 114MW
Status: Under Construction
Being developed by Highfield Solar in Co. Waterford, this large scale solar farm is one of a number which is expected to become operation before the end of 2024.
10. Timahoe North Solar Farm – 108MW
Status – Under Construction
One of a number of solar projects being developed in the Midlands by Bord na Móna and the ESB, the Tomahoe North Solar Farm in Co. Kildare will be the first of this partnership to be completed.
Construction of the 108MW solar farm began in August 2023, with the first solar panels installed in January 2024. The solar farm is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2024.
11. Tracystown Solar Park – 101MW
Status: In Development
The largest of the solar PV projects accepted in the RESS 3 Auction in late 2023, Tracystown Solar Park in Co. Wexford is being developed directly by ESB Networks, which is the sole owner of the project.
The 101.1MW solar farm has already secured planning permission and a grid connection offer, and is expected to be ready to start producing electricity by June 2026.
12. Ballymoneen Solar – 100MWÂ
Status – In Development
The Ballymoneen Solar PV Park will be a 100MW solar farm when it comes online in 2026. Being developed by Ballymoneen Project Limited, the solar famr received a contract from the governme in the RESS 2 auction in June 2022.Â
Planning permission for the solar farm was granted in January 2021 by Galway County Council. Work on the project is expected to begin in 2025, with the 100MW solar farm being connected the following year.
13. Garballagh Lower Solar Farm – 95MW
Status – Active
This solar farm near the village of Duleek in Co. Meath was the largest of its kind when the planning application was first submitted in 2019.
Capable of powering 21,800 homes, the solar farm is operated by Highfield Solar as one of a number of projects the company is developing in Meath.
14. Rosspile Solar Farm – 95MW
Status – Active
The Rosspile Solar Farm is one of the largest connected solar developments in the country. Operated by Highfield Solar in Co. Wexford. The 95MW solar farm produces enough power for more than 21,000 homes, and offsets 44,200 tons CO2 emissions.
15. Gaskinstown Solar PV Plant – 93MW
Status – Under Construction
Another project from Highfield Energy in Co. Meath, this 93MW solar farm is currently being built outside of the town of Duleek.
The joint venture between Highfield Energy and Aura Power is expected to be completed and become operational in 2024.
16. East Laois Solar Farm – 93MW
Status – In Development
This proposed 348 acre solar farm in Stradbally, Co. Laois would generate approximately 89,166MWh of electricity each year, enough to power almost 20,000 homes.
The solar farm first received planning approval in 2017, and with plans in development for a further 25MW extension to the solar, which has yet to begin construction.
17. Tullabeg Solar Farm – 82MW
Status – Under Construction
Another project from Power Capital Renewable Energy, the Tullabeg solar farm is currently being built near Tullabeg, Co. Wexford.
Once completed, which is expected to be in 2024, the 246 acre solar farm will provide electricity to approximately 19,500 homes.Â
18. TDC Community solar farm – 75MW
Status – In Development
This project by EDF Renewables Ireland in Co. Roscommon has been granted approval for an 75MW solar farm with battery storage, as well as securing a fixed price contract for power in the latest RESS 4 auction.
When built, the solar farm will cover roughly 130 hectares of land, and generated enough power for more than 15,000 homes.
19. Ballinrea Solar Farm – 65MW
Status – Under Construction
Owned by Orsted after being purchased from Terra Solar, Ballinrea Solar Farm is expected to enter into operation in 2025, with the capacity to power up to 16,000 homes when it is operational.
20. Ballinknockane Solar PV Park – 61MW
Status – Under Construction
Balliknockane Solar PV Park is a 61MW solar farm under construction in Co. Limerick. The project is being developed by French company Neoen after acquiring it from Solar Eireann.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many solar farms in Ireland that are either already connected to the grid, actively under construction, or in the pipeline to be delivered in the coming years.
The pace at which solar power is expanding in Ireland is blistering, with all of the projects listed above, and many more besides, expected to be delivered within the next four or five years.
Beyond these very large capacity solar projects, there are also a multitude of other smaller solar farms operating around Ireland, or else being built as we speak.
Author:
Briain Kelly
RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCHER
Briain Kelly is a Leinster based journalist and content creator who has been writing about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for nearly three years. He researches the latest news in multiple areas related to solar power, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and home energy upgrades. His writing includes both technological developments and government policy.
Author:
Briain Kelly
Renewable Energy Researcher
Briain Kelly is a Leinster based journalist and content creator who has been writing about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for nearly three years. He researches the latest news in multiple areas related to solar power, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and home energy upgrades. His writing includes both technological developments and government policy.
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20 of the Biggest Solar Farm projects in Ireland
Written by
Briain Kelly
Last editedÂ
05/10/2024
Solar power is going to play a huge role in the future of the Irish energy industry, with at least 8GW of capacity to be delivered by 2030 according to current targets.
This will come through multiple pipelines, from small scale self-consumption in rooftop solar on homes, farms, and small businesses, right up to utility scale solar farms.
The government has been actively encouraging the growth of utility scale solar in recent years through measures such as the Renewable Energy Support Scheme. The latest RESS 4 auction concluded only this month, with awards given to 959.84MW worth of solar projects.
Below is a list of some of the largest solar farms in Ireland which are either already connected and producing electricity, under construction, or in the planning stages.
1. Gallanstown Solar Farm – 198MW
Status – Active
Coming online in 2022 Gallanstown Solar Farm in Co. Meath is owned by Octopus Renewables Ltd, a UK investment trust which invests in renewable energy infrastructure.
The 198MW solar farm, located outside the town of Ashbourne, first received planning approval in 2018. It was the largest solar farm in Ireland to date, covering an area of 500 acres.
2. Clonfad Solar Farm – 175MW
Status – Under Construction
Currently under construction by Statkfraft, the Clonfad solar farm will be one of the largest in the country. Located in Co. Westmeath, the solar PV development will comprise more than 300,000 solar panels when completed.
3. Garrenleen Solar Farm – 160MW
Status: Under Construction
Owned by Ørsted after acquiring it from Terra Solar this solar farm near Carlow Town will be capable of powering up to 56,000 homes when it is completed.
The project is expected to be delivered in two phases, with the first 81MW phase to come online in 2025, and the second 79MW phase expected to be completed in 2026.
4. Garr Solar – 141MW
Status – Announced
One of the newest announced solar farms in Ireland, Neoen secured an award for the 141MW solar farm in county Offaly in the latest RESS 4 auction.
The solar project is still in its very early stages and isn’t expected to be delivered until 2028.
5. Lysaghtstown Solar Farm – 131MW
Status – Under Construction
The Lysaghtown Solar Farm in Co. Cork, owned by Power Capital Renewable Energy, will cover 373 acres and have a total export capacity of 131MW when it comes online, making it one of the largest solar farms in the country.
The solar farm is currently under construction by French company Voltalia, and is expected to become operational in 2024.
6. Ballyroe Solar – 120MW
Status – Announced
Soleire Renewable SPV secured an award for the planned 120MW solar farm in Co. Cork in the RESS 2 auction in 2022, having received planning permission the previous year.
The project has yet to begin construction, and is unlikely to begin commercial power production before 2026.
7. Swordleton Solar – 120MW
Status – In Development
Grant approved for Strategic Power Projects Limited in north Co. Kildare near Punchelstown. When this solar farm is built it will comprise some 197,010 ground-mounted solar panels on a 112ha site.
8. Milltown Solar Farm – 120MW
Status – Announced
Milltown Solar Farm is a large scale solar project being undertaken by Harmony Solar in Co. Meath. The 115MW project received final planning approval from An Bord Pleanála in 2022, and won a contract in the latest RESS 4 auction.
The 115MW solar farm near the town of Kells is expected to be connected and operation by 2028.
9. Rathnaskilloge Solar Farm – 114MW
Status: Under Construction
Being developed by Highfield Solar in Co. Waterford, this large scale solar farm is one of a number which is expected to become operation before the end of 2024.
10. Timahoe North Solar Farm – 108MW
Status – Under Construction
One of a number of solar projects being developed in the Midlands by Bord na Móna and the ESB, the Tomahoe North Solar Farm in Co. Kildare will be the first of this partnership to be completed.
Construction of the 108MW solar farm began in August 2023, with the first solar panels installed in January 2024. The solar farm is expected to become fully operational by the end of 2024.
11. Tracystown Solar Park – 101MW
Status: In Development
The largest of the solar PV projects accepted in the RESS 3 Auction in late 2023, Tracystown Solar Park in Co. Wexford is being developed directly by ESB Networks, which is the sole owner of the project.
The 101.1MW solar farm has already secured planning permission and a grid connection offer, and is expected to be ready to start producing electricity by June 2026.
12. Ballymoneen Solar – 100MWÂ
Status – In Development
The Ballymoneen Solar PV Park will be a 100MW solar farm when it comes online in 2026. Being developed by Ballymoneen Project Limited, the solar famr received a contract from the governme in the RESS 2 auction in June 2022.Â
Planning permission for the solar farm was granted in January 2021 by Galway County Council. Work on the project is expected to begin in 2025, with the 100MW solar farm being connected the following year.
13. Garballagh Lower Solar Farm – 95MW
Status – Active
This solar farm near the village of Duleek in Co. Meath was the largest of its kind when the planning application was first submitted in 2019.
Capable of powering 21,800 homes, the solar farm is operated by Highfield Solar as one of a number of projects the company is developing in Meath.
14. Rosspile Solar Farm – 95MW
Status – Active
The Rosspile Solar Farm is one of the largest connected solar developments in the country. Operated by Highfield Solar in Co. Wexford. The 95MW solar farm produces enough power for more than 21,000 homes, and offsets 44,200 tons CO2 emissions.
15. Gaskinstown Solar PV Plant – 93MW
Status – Under Construction
Another project from Highfield Energy in Co. Meath, this 93MW solar farm is currently being built outside of the town of Duleek.
The joint venture between Highfield Energy and Aura Power is expected to be completed and become operational in 2024.
16. East Laois Solar Farm – 93MW
Status – In Development
This proposed 348 acre solar farm in Stradbally, Co. Laois would generate approximately 89,166MWh of electricity each year, enough to power almost 20,000 homes.
The solar farm first received planning approval in 2017, and with plans in development for a further 25MW extension to the solar, which has yet to begin construction.
17. Tullabeg Solar Farm – 82MW
Status – Under Construction
Another project from Power Capital Renewable Energy, the Tullabeg solar farm is currently being built near Tullabeg, Co. Wexford.
Once completed, which is expected to be in 2024, the 246 acre solar farm will provide electricity to approximately 19,500 homes.Â
18. TDC Community solar farm – 75MW
Status – In Development
This project by EDF Renewables Ireland in Co. Roscommon has been granted approval for an 75MW solar farm with battery storage, as well as securing a fixed price contract for power in the latest RESS 4 auction.
When built, the solar farm will cover roughly 130 hectares of land, and generated enough power for more than 15,000 homes.
19. Ballinrea Solar Farm – 65MW
Status – Under Construction
Owned by Orsted after being purchased from Terra Solar, Ballinrea Solar Farm is expected to enter into operation in 2025, with the capacity to power up to 16,000 homes when it is operational.
20. Ballinknockane Solar PV Park – 61MW
Status – Under Construction
Balliknockane Solar PV Park is a 61MW solar farm under construction in Co. Limerick. The project is being developed by French company Neoen after acquiring it from Solar Eireann.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many solar farms in Ireland that are either already connected to the grid, actively under construction, or in the pipeline to be delivered in the coming years.
The pace at which solar power is expanding in Ireland is blistering, with all of the projects listed above, and many more besides, expected to be delivered within the next four or five years.
Beyond these very large capacity solar projects, there are also a multitude of other smaller solar farms operating around Ireland, or else being built as we speak.
Author:
Briain Kelly
RENEWABLE ENERGY RESEARCHER
Briain Kelly is a Leinster based journalist and content creator who has been writing about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for nearly three years. He researches the latest news in multiple areas related to solar power, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and home energy upgrades. His writing includes both technological developments and government policy.
Author:
Briain Kelly
Renewable Energy Researcher
Briain Kelly is a Leinster based journalist and content creator who has been writing about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies for nearly three years. He researches the latest news in multiple areas related to solar power, electric vehicles, heat pumps, and home energy upgrades. His writing includes both technological developments and government policy.
