Bord na Móna wins big with Mayo flagship project
Bord na Móna’s role as a leader in the development of renewable energy in Ireland was further solidified after it was announced that two of its major windfarm projects were successful in the first competitive auction under the government’s new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme.
Cloncreen Wind Farm, located in Co. Offaly, and the Oweninny Wind Farm Phase 2 (a joint venture with ESB in north Mayo) were both successful in their bids, winning 158MW total capacity in the auction.
The two windfarm projects represent a €170 million 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.
Of the 82 successful bids in the auction, Bord na Móna’s two projects represent a massive 25 per cent 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.
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 hectare (200,000 acre) estate.
"We are now on track to achieve a 300% increase in our renewable energy output in this decade.
"By 2030 we will be generating 3.5 terrawatt hours (TWH) of renewable energy that will significantly help Ireland deliver on its carbon reduction and green energy targets.”
In 1992, Bord na Móna commissioned Ireland’s first commercial wind farm in Bellacorick.
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.