Bord na Móna plans pilot solar energy farm

Bord na Móna plans to build a pilot solar energy farm in Offaly next year and is currently in talks with a number of potential development partners with the view to gaining a foothold in the burgeoning subsector of the new energy market.

Speaking after the renewable energy-focused semi-state utility’s AGM yesterday, Bord na Móna chief executive Mike Quinn said the company’s solar energy plans are at a “very early stage” but that the business “will definitely” build solar farms on its landbank in the midland counties in the coming years.

It has been reported that Bord na Móna had been talking to Lightsource Renewable Energy — the largest solar energy firm in the UK, which is understood to be looking to spend around €500m to develop solar farms in Ireland.