Voltalia has been selected as the main engineering, procurement, and construction contractor by ESB for the Middleton House Solar Farm, situated northeast of Lanesborough, Ireland. The project, valued in the multi-million euro range, is set to commence construction in September 2024.
Upon completion, the solar farm will generate 57 MW of clean electricity, sufficient to power over 15,000 homes. The energy will be transmitted through a 5 km cable route along a former peat rail line, repurposing infrastructure from the now-decommissioned Lough Ree Power Site.
The project aligns with ESB's strategy to achieve net zero emissions by 2040, which includes increasing its renewable generation capacity to 5,000 MW. This solar farm is a component of ESB's broader initiative to develop utility-scale solar farms across Ireland's midlands, south, and southeast regions.
Eoin Naughton, Solar Development Manager at ESB, highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “Lanesborough has a long and rich history of indigenous electricity generation. This announcement marks not just the commencement of Middleton House Solar Farm but the revitalisation of the midlands remaining as a strategic energy hub as part of Ireland's clean energy future.”
Sébastien Clerc, Chief Executive of Voltalia, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting, “Voltalia is delighted to have been selected as the engineering, procurement and construction service provider for the Middleton House project. After the first collaboration for the Timahoe North project, Voltalia is thrilled to see ESB trust confirmed with this additional contract.”
The project has received full planning permission from Longford County Council and was successful in the RESS 2 auction in June 2022. ESB has committed to engaging closely with local communities during the project's development, ensuring its successful delivery. Once operational, a community benefit fund will provide grants to local organizations, aimed at supporting the area's economic, environmental, social, and cultural well-being.
