#Ireland - Orsted wins contract for #SolarFarm which could power 'every second home in #Wexford'
Development one of 18 approved at Government's renewable energy support scheme (RESS5) auction
Wed, 24 Sep, 2025 - 17:22
Martin Claffey
"A contract secured by Orsted for a new solar development has the potential to generate power for every second home in Wexford.
"Orsted has secured a contract to operate its biggest Irish solar development to date with approval for a project in Lodgewood in Co Wexford.
"The Lodgewood contract was awarded to Orsted as part of the Government’s fifth onshore renewable energy support scheme (RESS5) auction. The RESS is an auction-based scheme which invites energy projects to compete for contracts to provide electricity at a guaranteed price for up to 16 and a half years. Project approved under #RESS5 must be operational by December 31, 2030.
"A total of 18 #solar projects and five onshore #wind projects were cleared in the auction. Lodgewood is Orsted's third solar project in three consecutive years to be awarded a government contract. It is envisaged the development will be operational in 2028.
" 'At 109MW, Lodgewood marks our biggest solar development in Ireland to date with capacity to generate enough renewable power for over 34,000 homes, equal to every second home in County Wexford,' said Orsted vice president of onshore for Ireland and UK, TJ Hunter.
" 'In addition to Lodgewood, we currently have two solar farms under construction, and a strong near-term pipeline of solar at over 800MW. If we are to ultimately achieve a secure energy supply for Ireland, solar energy is a fundamental piece of the jigsaw. We will continue to look at opportunities for solar projects in Ireland to help the government achieve its 2030 target of 8GW of solar energy.'
"Orsted already has solar projects under construction in Garreenleen in Carlow and Ballinrea, between Douglas and Carrigaline in Co Cork. The Ballinrea 55MW development will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 16,000 homes. Both are expected to be fully operational by 2026.
"Orsted's Irish operations are based in Cork city. The Danish-headquartered firm has invested around €800m in Ireland."
Source:
https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/companies/arid-41711654.html
Archived version:
https://archive.ph/AGkxR
#SolarPunkSunday #SolarPower #Ireland #RenewablesNow #FossilFuelsOut