Thursday 30 March 2017

Northern Ireland’s largest solar farm switched on

A solar farm claimed to be the largest in Northern Ireland has been switched on.

The 32MW project in Antrim is expected to create enough energy to power more than 11,000 homes.

It is also estimated to save more than 18,000 tonnes of carbon every year – equivalent to taking around 4,000 cars off the road.

The solar farm is made up of a network of five sites in County Antrim, linked by a single connected to the electricity grid.

Developer Lightsource says each of the projects has been designed to increase local biodiversity levels.

CEO Nick Boyle adds: “This is the most significant solar development on the island of Ireland to date.

“In addition to being a clean, renewable source of energy, solar is cost effective and can be deployed quickly and efficiently. In a post-Brexit environment, it is also good news that we are developing local projects that make Northern Ireland’s energy supply more secure and reduce the need for imported gas and other fossil fuels.”

The nation has set a target to meet 40% of its energy demand from renewable sources by 2020.

Last year, Lightsource unveiled Europe's largest floating solar array in Greater London.

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