SSE Renewables has submitted a planning application to develop a solar farm adjacent to its operational Richfield Wind Farm in County Wexford, southeast Ireland.
The planning application suggests the establishment of a roughly 21MW solar photovoltaic (PV) array on a 44-ha site situated in the townlands of Hooks and Yoletown in southern Wexford. This prospective solar farm location is in proximity to the established Richfield Wind Farm, comprising 18 turbines that have been operational since 2006.
Richfield Wind Farm, with its 27 MW installed capacity, currently generates sufficient renewable energy to supply power to approximately 18,000 homes each year, while simultaneously reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 18,000 metric tonnes annually. By combining the proposed development of a 21 MW solar farm alongside the existing wind farm, this co-located hybrid project has the potential to increase Richfield's typical annual renewable energy production by approximately 25%, equivalent to powering an additional 4,500 Irish homes annually. The proposed solar project will share a grid connection with Richfield Wind Farm.
