€7m solar farm ‘game- changing’ for Kanturk

THE opening of a €7m solar farm in north-west Cork has been described as a major boost for the area and for Ireland’s climate agenda.

The solar farm in Kanturk was officially opened this week by Higher Education Minister Patrick O’Donovan.

The Kanturk solar farm, which was developed by Amarenco, will power 1,900 homes in the local area, and the facility will consist of 14,750 solar panels.

Amarenco Solar Energy’s group chairman, John Mullins, hailed the development as putting Kanturk at the forefront of Ireland’s renewable energy agenda.

Mr Mullins, who is running as a European election candidate for Fine Gael, said the facility will be “game-changing” in powering homes in the area.

“This is a huge investment and a very significant development for the area,” Mr Mullins said.

“This plant will really help the Irish energy sector reach its legally binding targets by 2030 and will also bring clean, renewable energy to residential, commercial, and industrial customers in the area.

“This marks a significant day for the area.”

Mr Mullins added that a renewable energy agency should be established in Ireland that would oversee future developments in this sector.

“Ireland cannot waste the significant opportunity that it now has when it comes to progressing plans on renewable energy,” said Mr Mullins.

“The offshore wind energy sector could be worth up to €16bn per annum to the county and it is a real opportunity for jobs and economic growth on our east and south coasts.”

Mr Mullins said that such an agency could fall under the remit of the IDA and would focus on ensuring the infrastructure in Irish ports such as those at Rosslare and Cork was put to good use.

“Ireland has a great opportunity to use what it has on its doorstep to harness renewable energy resources, but this can only be done through focus and a collective effort,” added Mr Mullins.