Construction BUSINESS

Greencells GmbH, a leading global Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) service provider for utility-scale solar power plants, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of a contract for the construction of Bullstown Solar Farm. The solar farm, valued at EUR 13 million, is set to be situated to the south-east of Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and is the first of three wholly-owned ESB solar farms currently in progress, representing a total investment of almost EUR 200 million.

The construction phase of the Bullstown Solar Farm, with a capacity to generate 8.5 MW of clean electricity, is scheduled to commence in early 2024. Once operational, the solar farm is expected to provide enough energy to power over 2,000 homes, contributing significantly to Ireland’s renewable energy goals.

Bullstown Solar Farm is a pivotal project aligned with ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy, aiming to deliver a more than fivefold increase in renewable generation portfolio to 5,000 MW. Solar energy will play a crucial role in this strategy, complementing other sources such as offshore and onshore wind, battery, and green hydrogen projects.

Eoin Naughton, Solar Development Manager at ESB, expressed, “Bullstown Solar Farm marks the beginning of a sustained campaign by ESB to develop and construct a large portfolio of utility-scale solar farms throughout the midlands, south & south-east of the country. Solar provides an excellent opportunity for landowners and local communities to benefit from the clean energy transition.”

Ric Hallikeri, General Manager EMEA at Greencells, commented on the collaboration, stating, “Ireland is a focus market for Greencells GmbH, and Bullstown Solar Farm is our first project with ESB. In the context of a long-term partnership, we will support ESB in realizing its ambitious decarbonization goals over the coming years.”

The project will be developed by Bullstown Solar Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ESB. Full planning permission has been granted by Meath County Council, and the project was successful within the RESS 2 auction in June 2022.

Greencells GmbH, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Saarbrücken, has a proven track record, having been involved in the construction or planning of more than 150 photovoltaic plants with a total output of over 2.7 GWp in more than 25 countries. ESB, established in 1927, operates across the electricity market, with a regulated asset base of approximately EUR 12.0 billion and a 30% share of generation in the all-island market as of year-end 2022.

As both companies work together on this significant project, Bullstown Solar Farm is poised to be a landmark initiative in Ireland’s clean energy transition, contributing substantially to the country’s renewable energy goals and reinforcing the commitment to a sustainable future.

Source: Menafn (https://menafn.com/1107698947/Greencells-Gmbh-Is-Awarded-EPC-Contract-For-The-Electricity-Supply-BoardS-ESB-First-Solar-Park-Project-In-Ireland)