Bord na Mona to Build ‘1st Irish Dedicated RE Business Park’

Irish utility service provider Bord na Mona (BnM) is planing to construct a 200MW-plus hybrid energy park — the “first Irish dedicated renewable-energy business park.”

The semi-state company said that the so-called energy park will be developed on more than 7,400 acres of its landbank in counties Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.

It is expected to potentially co-locate over 200 megawatts (MW) of electricity, generated by renewable sources such as wind, solar and green hydrogen production, beside companies that will be based in the business park, close to Junction 3 of the M6 motorway at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath.

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Bord na Mona expects to lodge a planning application for the development in the next 18 to 24 months and will begin consultation with local communities this week.

BnM expects that the energy park will be attractive for industrial and high-demand energy users such as large scale distribution facilities and data centres.

It said the co-located approach is more sustainable, has lower environmental impact and a more optimal use of grid assets.

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The project will facilitate the reduction of energy costs and carbon emissions while guaranteeing a secure and reliable source of power for users, added the semi-state.

The availability of a 400, 220 and 110 kV grid network within or adjacent to landbank will reduce set-up costs and eliminates the need for significant grid extension work.

Chief Executive Tom Donnellan said: “As a climate solutions company, Bord na Móna is helping to contribute to a net zero future by embracing new approaches to how we generate and consume energy.

“The proposed Bord na Móna Energy Park brings with it a whole range of solutions in this area. It will reduce Ireland’s reliance on national grid infrastructure and will increase self-sufficiency and energy security in the country while meeting the needs of the national and regional economies.

“The climate emergency is the greatest challenge we face today, and the Bord na Móna Energy Park is another important step to creating a more sustainable future for Ireland.”