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Bord na Móna wins big in renewable energy auction

Bord na Móna’s role as a leader in the development of renewable energy in Ireland was further solidified last week after it was announced that two of its major wind farm projects were successful in the first competitive auction under the Government’s new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1).
Cloncreen Wind Farm (near Clonbullogue Co. Offaly) and the Oweninny Wind Farm Phase 2 (our joint venture with ESB, in Co Mayo) were both successful in their bids, winning 158MW total capacity in the auction.

Of the 82 successful bids in the auction, Bord na Móna’s two projects represent a massive 25 percent of the total capacity awarded. Together the two wind farms will supply enough renewable energy to power over 100,000 homes across Ireland per annum.

The two wind farm projects represent a €170m investment by Bord na Móna into its Brown to Green strategy, which has positioned the company at the forefront of delivering on government policy and national decarbonisation commitments.

Commenting on the results Bord na Móna Chief Executive, Tom Donnellan said:
The economic recovery and the climate emergency both highlight the critical need for Ireland to have a strong, stable supply of renewable energy. This auction demonstrates Bord na Móna’s leadership role in the delivery of the nation’s green energy supply using our proven capability in this area and our 80,000 hectares (200,000 acres) estate.

We are now on track to achieve a 300 percent increase in our renewable energy output in this decade. By 2030 we will be generating 3.5 terawatt hours (TWH) of renewable energy that will significantly help Ireland deliver on its carbon reduction and green energy targets.
 

Bord na Móna renewable energy portfolio

Operational

  • Bellacorrick Wind Farm – (operational since 1992) – 6.4 MW
  • Mountlucas Wind Farm – 84 MW
  • Bruckana Wind Farm – 42 MW
  • Drehid Landfill Gas – 5.6 MW
  • Sliabh Bawn (JV) Wind Farm – 64 MW
  • Oweninny (JV) Wind Farm Phase One – 93 MW

In Construction

  • Cloncreen Wind Farm  – 75 MW
  • Oweninny (JV) Wind Farm Phase Two – 83 MW

Pre-Construction

  • Derryadd Wind Farm – 90 MW
  • Timahoe Solar Farm (JV)  – 70 MW

Planning applications in process

  • Derrinlough Wind Farm – 85 MW

Pre-Planning

  • Ballivor Wind Farm
  • Oweninny Wind Farm Phase 3

In 1992, Bord na Móna commissioned Ireland’s first commercial wind farm in Bellacorick, Co. Mayo. The company has since committed to investing in the development of wind farms helping Ireland to build a secure supply of renewable energy. In 2018, the company accelerated its development pipeline of renewable energy and recycling infrastructure. The company has also launched a peatland management programme aimed at securing and capturing more carbon in its lands.

About RESS-1
RESS 1 is the first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme by the Government of Ireland, one element of the Government’s Climate Action Plan to deliver on the 70% renewable electricity target by 2030.

EirGrid have now confirmed the results following the auction on the 28th July, 2020. Of the 108 projects who submitted an Offer Price in respect of the RESS 1 Auction, 82 projects have been confirmed as successful including 63 solar energy projects and 19 wind energy projects.