SSE Renewables has received planning permission for a solar farm near its existing Richfield Wind Farm in Bridgetown, County Wexford. This marks SSE Renewables' inaugural solar project in Ireland, following a planning application submitted to Wexford County Council in September 2023 after local public consultation.
The development entails a 21MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) array located in the townlands of Hooks and Yoletown, sharing a grid connection with the established 27MW Richfield Wind Farm operational since 2006.
Garry Brides, senior project manager at SSE Renewables, emphasized, “Through the Richfield Solar Farm development, SSE Renewables is demonstrating that developing and operating complementary renewable energy technologies beside each other can help maximise land usage and grid capacity, while also supporting the delivery of Ireland's climate goals.”
The project's realization is contingent upon SSE securing an economic route to market and making a final investment decision to proceed with construction. Additionally, modifications to Ireland's grid connection regulations are necessary to enable the solar project to dynamically share export capacity with the existing wind farm.
Combined wind and solar generation at Richfield are anticipated to enhance energy resilience and productivity, furthering Ireland's objective of generating 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030, with shared grid infrastructure promising cost efficiencies for consumers.
“If delivered, the Richfield solar project could increase the typical annual renewables output in the area by around 25%, generating enough additional solar energy to power the equivalent of 4,500 Irish homes annually,” Brides added.
SSE Renewables intends to contribute to biodiversity by planting 15% of the site area with native woodland species, aligning with the company's Biodiversity Net Gain targets and Wexford County Development Plan 2022-2028 requirements.
