Ireland’s push towards its 2030 renewable energy targets has received a major boost with the commissioning of the Timahoe North Solar Farm. Located in County Kildare, this landmark 108MW project, a joint venture between Bord na Móna and ESB, is now exporting clean electricity to the national grid, with enough capacity to power approximately 25,000 homes.
As the inaugural large-scale solar initiative from the Bord na Móna and ESB partnership, Timahoe North represents a critical step in Ireland’s energy transition. The project, which saw its first panels installed in January 2024 after construction began in mid-2023, is a cornerstone of a wider 500MW co-development plan aimed at significantly expanding the country’s clean energy infrastructure. The benefits of solar energy for Ireland’s future are becoming increasingly tangible with developments of this scale.
A Catalyst for Ireland’s Solar Boom
The launch of Timahoe North comes amidst a period of explosive growth for the nation’s solar sector. Ireland’s total solar PV capacity experienced a remarkable 160% surge in 2023 alone, showcasing the rapid momentum behind the country’s shift to renewable sources.
With powerhouse projects like Timahoe now contributing to the grid, industry forecasts are increasingly optimistic. Projections indicate that Ireland is on a firm trajectory to achieve 1.76 GW of solar capacity by May 2025. Furthermore, the total annual solar energy output is anticipated to reach an impressive 104.16 million kWh by 2025, solidifying solar power’s role as a key pillar in the national energy mix. For ongoing coverage of these developments, readers can follow the latest news from Ireland’s solar industry.
Sources
- 20 of the Biggest Solar Farm projects in Ireland
- Voltalia Secures Two New EPC Contracts for Solar …
- ESB Begins Exporting First Power from 108MW Timahoe
- Brown to Green: Climate solution expansion
