Orsted rebrands European onshore business to Perigus Energy and chooses Cork as headquarters

The company has a strong presence in Ireland through its existing portfolio of 373 MW of operational onshore wind farms and 179 MW of projects currently under construction

Kieran White, CEO of Perigus Energy and TJ Hunter, Managing Director, Ireland and the UK at Perigus Energy, pictured at Perigus Energy's headquarters in Cork.  Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO

Multinational energy company Orsted will take on a new name and identity following the completion of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners’ (CIP) acquisition of the company's European onshore business, through its fifth flagship fund, CI V.

The business will now operate as Perigus Energy, which has selected Cork as its European headquarters. 

Perigus said this decision underlines Ireland’s strategic importance to the business, which already has a strong presence here through its existing portfolio of 373 MW of operational onshore wind farms and 179 MW of projects currently under construction across the island of Ireland.

Perigus said its people, assets, construction projects and development pipeline in Ireland are unaffected by the transaction.

The onshore renewables company aims to support Europe’s energy security and transition by developing, building and operating wind, solar and battery storage projects in Ireland, Germany, the UK and Spain. Today, its portfolio delivers electricity to power the equivalent of circa 600,000 European homes, with five further projects currently under construction in Ireland and Germany.

Perigus has recently marked several milestones in its portfolio of wind, solar and energy storage projects in Ireland. Due to be energised this month, the Garreenleen solar project in Carlow, its first solar project in Ireland, will generate 81 MW of renewable energy, enough to power 29,000 homes and help reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels by supplying green electricity on sunny days. 

Meanwhile, Farranrory Wind Farm in Co. Tipperary is expected to be fully operational in 2026, which will become Perigus' 21st wind farm on the island of Ireland with nine turbines, providing 43.2 MW, enough to power up to 25,000 homes.

The company has also recently secured key planning milestones, including permission for the Brittas Wind Farm in Tipperary, consent for the 170 MW Cappakeel solar farm in Laois, and provisional success for the Lodgewood battery energy storage project in Wexford in the latest Capacity Market auction run by EirGrid and SONI. 

In Cork, planning has been secured for a battery energy storage system at the 55 MW Ballinrea Solar Farm, where construction is well advanced, with more than 7,000 panels installed and energisation on track later this year.

In total, Perigus Energy has over 200 people working on site and from offices in Regensburg, Lauf, Potsdam, Essen, Hamburg, London, Edinburgh and Madrid.

'Exciting new chapter'

Kieran White, CEO of Perigus Energy, said:  “Perigus Energy is a very exciting next chapter in a long-running renewable success story which has evolved from the origins of an Irish farmer’s cooperative and a German family-run business. And so, while our name is new, our people are experienced, and our mission is the same.

"The high volatility in international energy markets demonstrates clearly Europe’s need for secure, home-grown and green electricity. With Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on board, we will enhance our delivery capability across our multi-gigawatt investment-ready pipeline spanning onshore wind, solar and battery storage."

TJ Hunter, Managing Director, Ireland and UK at Perigus Energy, added: “Ireland is central to the future of Perigus Energy and our decision to establish our European headquarters in Cork reflects both our deep heritage here and our long-term ambition.

"As Ireland looks to accelerate its transition to clean energy and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, we are committed to supporting national energy targets and delivering the reliable, renewable power needed for Ireland’s security and future growth.”