Westmeath-Offaly Solar Farm Gets Planning Approval
In a significant development, Ireland is taking strides towards a more sustainable future with the approval of a solar farm project along the Westmeath-Offaly border. Elgin Energy Services has been granted planning permission for this 10-year initiative, with an operational lifespan of 40 years. The solar farm is a testament to Ireland’s commitment to renewable energy and its ambitious targets outlined in CAP21, aiming to reduce emissions by 51% against the 2018 baseline and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
The solar farm project is essential to meeting Ireland’s renewable energy goals, as it addresses the need to quintuple the country’s solar capacity by 2030 and lower solar battery storage costs. This endeavor not only boosts solar capacity but also presents an opportunity to explore innovative solutions such as solar battery storage to efficiently store excess energy. By harnessing the power of the sun and integrating cutting-edge energy storage technology, Ireland aims to establish a reliable and sustainable energy supply, ensuring stability even during periods of low sunlight.
It’s not surprising that some of the world’s largest capacity solar plants are in Asia. The Golmud Solar Park in China has nearly seven millions contributing to a solar capacity of 2.8 GW. The Philippines is also looking to make strides in solar farms. In 2023, a private company in the Philippines got planning permission to start constructing a 3.5 GW solar farm – that would make it the world’s largest solar capacity farm. But it’s not just China and the Philippines. The world’s largest countries are exponentially growing their solar sectors in anticipation of the significant role of renewable energy.
Ireland faced challenges in its journey towards achieving renewable energy targets. In 2018, the nation ranked 27th out of 28 EU countries for progress towards the 2020 overall renewable energy target. The primary obstacle hindering progress was the low share of renewable energy in heating. However, there has been commendable progress in the electricity sector, with Ireland ranking 12th out of 28 EU nations for renewable energy share. Electricity plays a pivotal role in the nation’s climate change strategy, constituting 82% of the carbon dioxide emissions avoided through the use of renewable energy.
“[The Renewable Energy in Ireland 2020 Report] demonstrates the challenges we face in transitioning away from fossil fuels. Most of the energy we use to generate electricity, to heat our homes and businesses and for transport comes from burning fossil fuels like gas, coal, peat and oil. We need to eliminate energy waste and transition to using more renewable sources of energy like wind, solar, heat pumps and bioenergy as quickly as we can.” - Jim Scheer, Head of Policy Insights and Design, SEAI
Even worldwide, the initiative to invest in solar energy is fast growing. In the period since 2010, solar PV has been the fastest growing power generation technology worldwide. As more homes continue to install solar PV systems onto their roofs, the global and national capacity will grow. It prepares us for a future where renewable energy is more widely available and accessible. Especially considering climate change and the environmental consequences facing the population with every increase in carbon emissions.
Currently, Ireland’s electricity capacity stands at 8GW, with renewable sources contributing to 42% of the total electricity generated in 2020. This marked a substantial increase, as energy from renewable sources grew by 8.9% in the same year. Notably, wind energy played a vital role, accounting for 28% of all electricity generated, second only to natural gas. Ireland’s expertise in integrating large amounts of wind-generated electricity into its network has positioned it as a global leader in renewable energy adoption.
The Westmeath-Offaly solar farm project is an example of Ireland taking a step toward their commitment to embracing renewable energy sources and transitioning away from fossil fuels. Beyond the numbers, this project is significant as it displaces fossil fuel use equivalent to 2 million tonnes of oil and avoids 4.9 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. These numbers represent 13% of Ireland’s total energy-related CO2 emissions, highlighting the transformative potential of renewable energy initiatives.
As the nation strives to bolster its renewable energy infrastructure, initiatives like the Westmeath-Offaly solar farm serve as essential building blocks for a sustainable energy future. Incorporating solar battery storage solutions into these projects will enhance Ireland’s ability to store excess energy, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply even during periods of low sunlight.
In conclusion, Ireland needs to continue to take significant steps toward a sustainable future for both Westmeath and Ireland as a whole. The commitment is key to embracing renewable energy sources and achieving ambitious climate targets. With continued dedication, innovation, and collaboration between government, businesses, and communities, Ireland is poised to become a beacon of renewable energy adoption, setting an example for the world to follow. This solar farm, with its solar battery storage technology, is a shining example of how the country is transitioning towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.