Bord na Móna SSE deal could see €1 billion invested in wind farms across Laois and Midlands

Garryhinch Wind Farm on the Laois Offaly border is among the projects in a new deal possibly worth over €1 billion between Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables.  

The 50:50 joint venture which will target the delivery of up to 800 MW of new renewable onshore wind energy for Ireland through wind farm projects on Bord na Móna land in the Midlands. It could see over €1 billion invested in the next ten years.

The 12 turbine Garryhinch project is at planning stage. Its turbines would be located in Laois and Offaly and have a tip height of between 200 and 220 metres.  

Bord na Móna and SSE now plan to deliver a “significant portfolio” of new onshore wind projects across the Midlands through a lease agreement on existing Bord na Móna lands in suitable locations. It will result in additional wind farms across Laois and the wider midlands. 

Bord na Móna Chief Executive, Tom Donnellan said: “The portfolio of projects contained within this joint venture will be developed through a lease agreement at sites across Bord na Móna’s landbank, helping to benefit communities we have been operating in for the past 90 years. Our dedicated Community Benefit Fund will also support the local communities neighbouring our wind farm projects which could amount to annual multi-million-euro investments when all projects are fully operational.”

The joint venture includes three projects already in pre-planning development, including the proposed Lemanaghan Wind Farm in north-west Offaly, the proposed Littleton Wind Farm in Tipperary, and the proposed Garryhinch Wind Farm on the border of Laois and Offaly. These three projects have the potential to collectively deliver approximately 250MW of new renewable energy generation for Ireland. The joint venture also intends to progress a portfolio of future development prospects, which will represent up to 550MW of additional new onshore wind energy,” he said. 

According to Mr Donnellan, “Bord na Móna will lead on Community Engagement across the lifetime of the projects. All onshore wind farms developed by this partnership will have strong commitments to community investment, delivering new public amenities where possible, and contributing to biodiversity net gain across all sites. Once operational, each wind farm will have an associated Community Benefit Fund to invest in local communities across the midlands.”

Managing Director of SSE Renewables, Stephen Wheeler said: “At SSE Renewables, we’re proud of our commitment to Ireland. We’ve invested billions so far to deliver the low carbon energy infrastructure needed to help decarbonise Ireland’s energy mix. Our operational onshore wind portfolio is the backbone of Ireland’s clean energy transition, and we’re currently building what will be one of Ireland’s newest wind farms, the 101MW Yellow River project in County Offaly.”

“Now, through this important new partnership with Bord na Móna, we can accelerate delivery of up to 800MW of new renewable energy generation for Ireland. By working together, our two organisations can deliver vital new onshore wind projects across the Midlands that will support regional economies and jobs, generate new homegrown energy for Irish consumers, while providing crucial supports to local communities across the heartland of Ireland. And in doing so, our partnership will help power the momentum needed for Ireland to meet its climate action goals for 2030 and beyond.”

The deal, which has reached completion, follows the receipt of Ministerial consent from Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan.

He said: “Renewable green energy is going to play a crucial role in helping Ireland move towards greater energy security and deliver on our emission reduction targets, with the ultimate goal of achieving net zero by 2050. This joint venture between Bord na Móna and SSE Renewables will deliver up to 800MW of green electricity to power homes and businesses right across Ireland.” 

“Importantly, this joint venture will also see significant investment being made in the Midlands and local communities, a region which has historically played a significant role in powering Ireland. Today’s announcement highlights the evolving nature of this role and how the Midlands is pivoting to the delivery of green renewable energy, to sustainably support future energy needs,” Minister Ryan said.

The companies say the partnership has the potential to support hundreds of jobs across the Midlands during construction and operation of the onshore wind projects.