Beehives rolled out in biodiversity drive at Mayo solar farm installation

IRISH energy transition specialist Astatine has announced a beehive biodiversity initiative that will be rolled out at the company’s solar PV (photovoltaic) installations across Ireland.

The Astatine team unveiled their first installation of six beehives at a Mayo solar energy site located at a Ballina-based beverage company.

The initiative will see up to 300,000 native Irish honeybees (Apis mellifera mellifera) thriving at each Astatine site during peak summer months, boosting biodiversity and enhancing the environmental benefits of renewable energy.

Tom Marren, CEO of Astatine, said: “Solar farms already play a key role in reducing carbon emissions, but they can also be powerful drivers for biodiversity. By introducing beehives, we’re creating a thriving habitat that supports pollination, strengthens local ecosystems, and benefits farmers, wildlife, and the wider community.

“Indeed, a report from UK’s leading bird conservation charity, the RSPB, last year, stated that solar farms can have three times more bird species than nearby arable farmland.”

The hives installed at the Ballina site will be tended by local beekeeper Jamel Neary. Louis and David Bolger, the father and son pair who own and operate The Business Beekeeper (thebusinessbeekeeper.ie), will carry out regular inspections to ensure strong, healthy colonies. Honey harvests from the hives will be handled professionally, with colony welfare as the top priority.

Marren continued: “We have had a very favourable reaction from our clients to the beehive initiative, and we plan to install beehives at all of our project sites across Ireland. The initiative means that we are not only delivering clean energy for our clients, enabling them to meet their environmental commitments, but also supporting local biodiversity in such a tangible way.

“This is just the start for us and we plan to work with our clients and communities to see what other ways that we can look to enhance biodiversity at our growing number of sites around Ireland and further afield. This biodiversity initiative really shows how renewable energy infrastructure can work hand-in-hand with nature, creating benefits that extend far beyond energy expenditure reduction.”

In addition to incorporating beehives, Astatine is also planning to plant native wildflowers and install ‘bug hotels’ at project sites nationwide. Wildflower growth and bug hotels can help promote pollinator and other insect activity by providing these species with essential nectar and pollen and proper nesting grounds, acting as a positive catalyst for further ecosystem support and expansion at the work sites.

BEEHIVE SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS

· Biodiversity support: Honeybees pollinate local crops, hedgerows, and wildflowers, encouraging a richer variety of plants and supporting other insects, birds, and wildlife.

· Ecosystem resilience: Improved pollination strengthens food chains and natural habitats, promoting long-term environmental balance.

· Honey production: From the second season onwards, the hives will produce honey that can be harvested and jarred, creating a natural product directly linked to the site’s sustainability programme.

SEASONAL TIMELINE

· Spring (March - May): Colonies become active, foraging begins, and populations grow rapidly.

· Summer (June - July): Peak pollination activity; regular hive health checks and honey build-up.

· Late summer/early autumn 2026: First full honey harvest expected, depending on conditions.

· Autumn/Winter: Bees settle into hives, conserving energy with minimal disturbance.