Ireland's ESB Signs 200-Megawatt Scottish Wind Deal

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Ireland's state-owned Electricity Supply Board (ESB) (Dublin) continues its drive into the U.K. energy market after signing a deal with REG Power Management (Guildford, England) for delivery of two onshore windfarms in Scotland.

The Development Services Agreement spans two concept-stage windfarms in Scotland at Knockodhar and Greenburn, with a combined generating capacity of 200 megawatts (MW). Knockodhar could accommodate up to 50 turbines with a rated capacity of 3 MW each, and Greenburn approximately 15 turbines with turbines rated at 3.3 MW each. Industrial Info estimates the combined value of the projects at £200 million ($261 million).

Dave McNamara, renewables manager at ESB, said that the partnership with REG Power Management will help the company grow its onshore wind business in Scotland.

"Recognising the long-term imperative to take fossil fuels out of our economies, onshore wind continues to be one of the most cost-effective solutions in terms of new renewable electricity generation," he said. "This agreement builds on other successful partnerships in Scotland, and both companies look forward to working together to provide development opportunities on these two sites of considerable potential."

Matt Partridge, development director of REG Power Management, commented: "We're delighted to be partnering with ESB on two exciting Scottish windfarm opportunities, which could individually and together make a significant contribution to Scotland's clean electricity requirements, the local communities and broader climate goals."

ESB already has a wind development platform of 400 MW in the U.K. across nine projects, following a deal with independent wind energy developer Coriolis Energy (Glasgow, Scotland) in 2015. The company plans to invest £600 million ($783 million) in the projects, which will be capable of generating enough power for approximately 225,000 homes. The first project will be commissioned in 2019.

ESB established a strong foothold in the U.K. market in 2016 when it commissioned the Carrington Power Station near Manchester, the first large-scale gas-fired power plant to be opened in the U.K. since 2013. The 880-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant can power about 1 million homes. For additional information, see October 3, 2016, article--U.K. Gets First New Gas-Fired Plant in Three Years.

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