Neoen has begun construction of the 79 MWp Ballinknockane solar farm in County Limerick, Ireland.
Initially planned for 61 MWp, the project was upgraded following its success in Ireland’s RESS 2 auction in 2022. It will benefit from a Contract for Difference (CfD), valid until 2040, and is scheduled to be energised in mid-2026 and commissioned in the first half of 2027.
This will be Neoen’s first transmission-connected project in Ireland and the first utility-scale solar farm in County Limerick, with the Ballinknockane solar farm producing enough energy to power 16,000 homes and prevent 21,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Additionally, Neoen will contribute over €1.8m to local community initiatives through a Community Benefit Fund over its lifetime. The project will also incorporate agrivoltaic and biodiversity-encouraging practices.
These include sheep grazing, tree and hedge planting, bird boxes, bug hotels, and bio-diversity meadows.
With Ballinknockane, Neoen’s capacity in operation or under construction in Ireland will reach 190 MW, including three solar farms (58 MWp) and eight wind farms (53 MW) in operation.
This construction start follows Neoen’s success in the RESS 4 auction, where the company secured 170 MWp from two new solar projects.
Cyril Perrin, Managing Director of Neoen Ireland, says, “We are proud to take part in the economical and sustainable ambitions of the Shannon Estuary region. Ballinknockane solar farm is a great lever to diversify the energy mix in Limerick and contribute to Ireland’s 2030 climate targets.”
Xavier Barbaro, Neoen’s Chairman and CEO, added, “Our efforts in Ireland are bearing fruit. We are accelerating the energy transition in Ireland and globally.”
