Statkraft secures contract in State’s fourth renewable energy auction

Statkraft has successfully secured a contract for a solar project in the Government’s fourth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 4).

The Cork-based renewable energy firm won a contract for its Kilcush solar project, which will have the capacity to deliver approximately 57MW of clean energy to the Irish grid.

When built, the solar farm will be co-located in Co. Offaly with the 56MW Cushaling Wind Farm and Ireland’s first four-hour battery project.

Following the publication of the results, Kevin O’Donovan, MD of Statkraft Ireland and UK, said: “We are pleased that we have secured a contract for Kilcush Solar in RESS 4. The delivery of this 57MW solar farm in will be a milestone project for Statkraft in Ireland, given that it will be co-located with the 56MW Cushaling Wind Farm and Ireland’s first four-hour battery project.”

Construction on Cushaling Wind Farm began in late 2022, while work on the Cushaling battery energy storage system, or BESS, got underway in September 2023. The third BESS to be developed by Statkraft in Ireland, it will be the country’s first battery to provide 20MW for up to four hours.