'Ireland's biggest dairy farm' in east Cork to be repurposed for solar energy
TJ Hunter, vice president Ørsted Onshore Ireland & UK (right) with Simon Browne (left) and Tom Browne (centre), the family behind Greenhills. Ørsted and Greenhills farm have entered into a lease agreement for renewable energy production at the farm. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
One of Ireland's largest dairy farmers, with more than 1,100 cows, has entered into a leasing agreement with global renewable energy company Ørsted to use land for a giant solar farm.
Greenhills farm in Killeagh in east Cork will be repurposed to produce renewable energy as part of Ørsted’s plans for a 250 MW export capacity solar development, which has the potential to power at least 52,000 homes.
The farm run by Tom, Elizabeth, and Simon Browne has a herd of 1,100 animals. Dairy farming will continue on the land for now and the breakdown of dairying versus energy production will be made "at a later date".
The project delivery time will depend on securing planning approval but the company has said it will "engage closely with the local community and stakeholders to establish the right approach for the area". “A landowner lease agreement is a significant milestone, but it is also a very early step on the journey to developing a renewable energy project," said Ørsted onshore Ireland and UK vice president TJ Hunter. "This area has some of the country's best solar energy generating conditions, and when completed, this project has the potential to generate enough renewable energy to power in excess of 52,000 homes."
Ørsted’s portfolio currently includes 373 MW of onshore wind across the island of Ireland. In solar, the near-term pipeline currently stands at over 700 MW. The Government's target of 8GW solar energy is targeted for 2030.
