Lightsource bp sells 275 MW of permitted Irish solar capacity to Statkraft

New York — Lightsource bp has sold five solar projects in Ireland to Statkraft Ireland, the company said Sept. 10.

The projects, totaling 275 MW (direct current), are in Meath, Laois, Tipperary and Cork. All have full planning permission and grid connectivity.

Advanced status of planning would allow Statkraft "to secure a route to market, financing and begin construction," Lightsource bp said.

One of the projects (Blundelstown, Meath, 78 MWp, 52 MW maximum export capacity) was successful in Ireland's first competitive auction under the Government's new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1).

Statkraft secured contracts for around 330 MW in the auction, including two wind projects and two solar projects.

In addition to Blundlestown, its Gallanstown Solar project (198 MWp, 119 MW maximum export capacity) was the largest to succeed in the auction (developer JBM Solar was acquired by the Norwegian utility in October last year).

Statkraft's successful wind projects were at Cloghan (34 MW) and Taghart (23 MW).

It intends to have all 330 MW operational during 2022, at an investment of over Eur200 million ($237 million).

Some 1,275.54 MW in all were awarded agreements in the auction, system operator Eirgrid said Aug. 4.

Solar led the way with 796.3 MW of successful bids, while onshore wind accrued 479.24 MW. Contracts-for-difference support for 15 years saw average strike prices for community projects of Eur104.15/MWh ($123.66/MWh), for solar of Eur72.92/MWh, and for all projects of Eur74.08/MWh.

The other big solar winner in the auction was Irish developer Highfield Energy, with provisional CfDs for two 95 MW farms at Rosspile, County Wexford, and Gillinstown, County Meath.

The largest wind awards went to Oweninny Power 2 (83 MW) and Upperchurch Windfarm Ltd (73 MW).

This and the subsequent RESS auctions are to play a pivotal role in Ireland's Climate Action Plan, and the country's 70% renewable electricity target by 2030.

Statkraft aims to increase its portfolio of wind assets to 6 GW and solar to 2 GW by 2025.

BP (which is owns 50% of Lightsource bp) aims to develop around 50 GW of net renewable generating capacity by 2030, a 20-fold increase from 2019.

"We continue to remain fully committed to developing and investing in Ireland's utility scale solar market, our local teams remain active in assessing future opportunities," Lightsource bp CEO Kareen Boutonnat said.