Tag: renewable

Greenvolt Next Delivers 2.2MWp Solar Farm at Astellas Dublin

Greenvolt Next, part of the Greenvolt Group, a leading specialist in renewable energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, today announces the completion of a 2.2MWp ground-mounted solar farm at the Astellas Damastown facility in Dublin.

Greenvolt Next delivered a high-impact renewable energy solution in just four months, a timeframe that is increasingly critical to support energy security in today’s volatile energy landscape. Managing every stage of the project, from concept/design to installation and commissioning, Greenvolt Next continues to support Astellas Dublin’s site with ongoing maintenance and performance reviews.

The solar farm which is now live features 3,192 solar panels and five inverters, supplying 27% of the site’s electricity needs and reducing Scope 2 CO₂ emissions by 310 tonnes annually. It marks a significant milestone in Astellas Dublin’s sustainability journey, strengthening operational resilience, lowering environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence.

Designed with future growth in mind, the system can accommodate additional inverters and battery storage integration, allowing the facility to expand its renewable energy capacity as operational needs evolve. This is part of Astellas ongoing commitment to contribute to the sustainability of society through its business activities.

Throughout the project, sustainability considerations extended beyond energy generation. At each stage, careful attention was given to protecting and enhancing site biodiversity. Large bug hotels were constructed using reclaimed tree stumps, multiple bat boxes were installed, and a significant number of native Irish trees were planted to promote local ecology and support long-term biodiversity on the site. The solar farm is also visible along the site’s 1.1km riverwalk, offering employees and visitors a clear view of the facility’s commitment to renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland, commented: “This solar farm is an impressive feat with our resourceful team completing the design, installation and delivery of over 3,000 solar panels in just four months. The turnaround time for a project of this scale is meaningful and shows how quickly we can implement change – change that gives Astellas more control and more reliability in terms of its energy needs both today and in the future. Making renewable energy easy not only benefits the organisation but also its customers and the environment as a whole, particularly at a time when these factors are becoming increasingly critical amid ongoing volatility and uncertainty in energy markets.”

Leon Burns, Capital Projects Lead, Astellas Ireland, commented: “At Astellas, we know that time is of the essence when it comes to taking action. As well as doing the best for patients, we are also committed to doing the best for the world around us – that includes supporting a greener future. In just four months, Greenvolt Next has delivered a solar farm which boosts our sustainability credentials and offers scalability. Underpinned by their resources and expertise, this installation is already making a tangible difference to our business operations.”

How Sustainable Hardware is Powering Ireland’s Tech Future

Ireland is Europe’s digital heartland, where rapid technological growth must now balance with strict environmental commitments. Today, implementing energy-efficient solutions is vital for maintaining the country’s competitive edge and protecting its natural resources. By optimizing power usage and component lifecycles through durability and recycling, local firms are proving that high performance can be environmentally responsible.

The Push for Energy Efficiency in Data Centers

As of early 2026, Ireland hosts 82 operational data centers, with several clusters located in the Dublin region. According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), these facilities now consume approximately 22% of Ireland’s total metered electricity. This marks a significant milestone, as the energy use of data hubs has officially surpassed that of all urban households in the country combined. Efficient hardware development plays a critical role in this transition by optimizing power usage and extending the lifecycle of electronic components. To address this, operators are moving away from traditional cooling systems toward liquid cooling and advanced airflow management.

The integration of smart sensors and IoT devices allows for real-time monitoring of energy patterns. This data-driven approach ensures that every watt is accounted for. Engineers are implementing several strategies to keep these massive hubs running cleanly:

  • District Heating Integration: The pioneering project in Tallaght now successfully recaptures waste heat from server farms to provide low-carbon heating for the Technical University Dublin (TUD) campus and local public buildings.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems equipped with lithium-ion batteries for better storage density and faster response times during grid fluctuations.
  • Advanced power distribution units (PDUs) that minimize transmission loss within the server racks through optimized voltage conversion.
  • High-efficiency voltage regulators that stabilize power flow for sensitive AI-ready processors, reducing heat generation.

Circular Economy and Lifecycle Management

The tech industry is notorious for rapid obsolescence, especially with the surge in AI hardware demands. However, the Irish tech sector is pioneering a “circular” approach to physical assets. Instead of the traditional “take-make-dispose” model, firms are adopting modular designs. This means when a single part fails or becomes outdated, technicians replace only that specific module rather than the entire unit. This practice significantly reduces electronic waste, which remains a critical environmental priority for the EU.

Sustainability starts at the design phase. Local innovators are selecting materials that are easier to recover and reuse. This shift requires a deep understanding of metallurgy and chemical engineering to ensure that performance remains top-tier. Several key factors contribute to this more sustainable lifecycle for enterprise devices:

  1. Standardization of components to allow for cross-brand compatibility and significantly easier repairs in the field.
  2. Implementation of “take-back” programs where manufacturers reclaim old server chassis for professional refurbishment and resale.
  3. Use of biodegradable or highly recyclable polymers in the outer casings of industrial electronics to minimize landfill impact.
  4. Refining the extraction process for rare earth metals found in printed circuit boards to create a closed-loop supply chain.

 

Renewable Integration and Grid Stability

A major part of Ireland’s tech future involves syncing hardware with the renewable energy grid. Ireland is a world leader in wind energy, which supplied approximately 34% of national electricity demand throughout 2025. However, wind is intermittent. Sustainable infrastructure must be “grid-aware,” meaning it can adjust its power intake based on the current supply of green energy. This requires specialized power management firmware and robust electrical components that can handle fluctuations without crashing the system.

Leading facilities in Dublin and Cork are already experimenting with “demand-response” technology. During periods of low wind, these systems automatically throttle non-critical tasks to lower the load on the grid. This level of synchronization is only possible through highly specialized equipment. The following elements are essential for creating this harmony between the tech sector and the environment:

  • Variable speed drives (VSDs) in cooling fans that adjust precisely to the needed thermal load, preventing energy waste.
  • Artificial intelligence controllers that predict peak energy pricing and shift heavy computational workloads to “greener” hours.
  • Solid-state storage devices (SSDs) that consume up to 50% less power during active read/write cycles than traditional spinning drives.

By investing in these advanced physical solutions, Ireland is creating a blueprint for other digital economies. The focus on efficiency, modularity, and grid integration ensures that the tech sector can grow without compromising the planet.

Enterprise Ireland launches Propel Ireland to accelerate offshore wind innovation and supply chain development

Enterprise Ireland has today announced the launch of Propel Ireland, a new innovation centre designed to drive collaboration, innovation and supply chain development across Ireland’s offshore wind sector.

Propel Ireland represents a key action under Powering Prosperity: Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy, supporting the development of a globally competitive offshore wind industry and positioning Irish companies to capitalise on significant domestic and international opportunities.

Offshore wind is central to Ireland’s energy future and economic growth, with national targets of up to 37GW of offshore renewable energy capacity by 2050 – creating a significant opportunity for enterprise development, job creation and export growth.

Propel Ireland will bring together developers, SMEs, researchers and Government stakeholders to strengthen collaboration across the offshore wind ecosystem and accelerate innovation.

Propel Ireland will:

•    Connect Ireland’s offshore wind industry and support collaboration across enterprise, research and Government

•    Enable companies to address shared technical and commercial challenges

•    Support the development of a competitive Irish supply chain for domestic projects and global export

•    Accelerate the commercial deployment of later-stage technologies

The initiative will be supported by a cross-sectoral steering group, including representatives from Government Departments and agencies, industry and the research community, ensuring alignment with national policy and industry needs.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke TD, said: “Developing a strong offshore wind industry is a key priority for Government, supporting enterprise growth, innovation and job creation. Propel Ireland will play an important role in strengthening Ireland’s supply chain and supporting companies to seize the opportunities in this rapidly growing global sector.”

Minister at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment, Timmy Dooley TD, said: “Offshore wind will play a central role in delivering Ireland’s climate and energy ambitions. Initiatives such as Propel Ireland are important in supporting innovation, building capability and ensuring we maximise the economic benefits of the transition to renewable energy.”

Minister of State with special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, Marian Harkin TD said: “Collaboration between industry, research and Government is critical to delivering innovation in emerging sectors such as offshore wind. Propel Ireland will support the development of knowledge, skills and research capability needed to underpin Ireland’s long-term success in this area.”

Jenny Melia, CEO, Enterprise Ireland, said: “Offshore wind presents a significant opportunity for Ireland to build a new, globally competitive sector. Propel Ireland will support Irish companies to collaborate, innovate and scale, enabling them to compete internationally while contributing to the development of Ireland’s offshore wind capability.”

The launch of Propel Ireland reflects a coordinated, cross-Government approach to developing Ireland’s offshore wind sector, aligned with national climate, energy and enterprise policy.

Ireland’s strong research base, growing enterprise capability and natural resources position the country to become a leading location for offshore wind innovation and supply chain development. Propel Ireland will support this ambition by providing a platform for collaboration, innovation and commercialisation.

Enterprise Ireland will now engage with industry partners to support participation in Propel Ireland and to ensure that Irish companies are well positioned to benefit from opportunities in offshore wind, both domestically and internationally.

Microsoft achieves 100% renewable energy match for global electricity use

Microsoft today announced it has achieved a key sustainability milestone: matching 100% of its annual global electricity consumption with renewable energy as of 2025.

The milestone marks significant progress in Microsoft’s 2020 commitment to become carbon negative by 2030 and reflects more than a decade of investment in renewable energy infrastructure worldwide.

Since announcing its carbon negative ambition, Microsoft has contracted 40 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable energy capacity across 26 countries, working with more than 95 utilities and energy developers through 400+ contracts.

This milestone positions Microsoft among the largest corporate purchasers of renewable energy globally and reinforces the company’s leadership in driving market investment in carbon-free energy systems. According to Microsoft Ireland’s most recent economic and social impact report, the company has made an investment in 1GW of renewable energy capacity in Ireland.

“In 2020, Microsoft announced a moonshot commitment to become carbon negative by 2030, accelerating work across our company to advance the partnerships and technologies needed to advance sustainability for our businesses, our customers and the world,” said Microsoft’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Melanie Nakagawa and President of Cloud Operations + Innovation at Microsoft, Noelle Walsh. “A key milestone on this journey was our aim to match 100% of our annual global electricity consumption with renewable energy by 2025. Today, we are pleased to share that Microsoft has achieved this milestone. This progress helps drive investment into the power systems where we operate, expand clean energy supply and advance broader energy innovation.”

Driving global clean energy investment

Microsoft’s renewable energy journey began in 2013 with a single 110 MW power purchase agreement in Texas. Since then, its portfolio has expanded into one of the world’s largest corporate clean energy programmes, with partnerships with over 95 global energy suppliers.

The company has also pioneered innovative procurement models, helping scale repeatable and bankable clean energy frameworks across multiple markets, including first-of-their-kind corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPAs) in Japan and hybrid renewable agreements in India.

Supporting communities and infrastructure

Microsoft’s renewable energy agreements have mobilised billions of dollars in private investment, supported thousands of jobs and embedded community-focused benefits including workforce training, local grants and infrastructure development. The company continues to work closely with energy developers and community partners to ensure clean energy projects deliver local economic and social value alongside environmental benefits.

Looking ahead: expanding carbon-free energy technologies

As global electricity demand accelerates – driven by electrification, AI and digital infrastructure – Microsoft says achieving 100% renewable energy matching is a milestone, not the endpoint.

Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund has allocated $806 million to 67 climate-focused investees, with 38% directed toward energy systems innovation.

The company is also deploying AI-driven tools to accelerate power system design, permitting and grid optimisation.

Greenvolt Next 4MW solar farm for Sanofi in Waterford

Greenvolt Next, part of Greenvolt Group, a leading specialist in renewable energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, has completed the development of a 4 MW solar PV plant for Sanofi, one of the leading global biopharmaceutical companies.

Now in operation at Sanofi’s manufacturing campus in Waterford, the project was structured under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), requiring no upfront investment from the pharma company and allowing it to access renewable electricity at a stable and predictable price, while benefiting from long-term operational certainty.

The project was formally inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the Minister of State, Mary Butler, underscoring the national relevance of investments that accelerate Ireland’s clean-energy transition. Sanofi, established in Ireland more than 20 years ago, develops and manufactures healthcare solutions across therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and vaccines, with the Waterford site playing a central role in its operations.

Greenvolt Next designed and delivered the 4 MW solar PV plant, comprising more than 5,700 panels and 10 inverters. The installation will generate approximately 3.2 GWh of renewable electricity annually, covering around 20% of the site’s energy needs and enabling the avoidance of 950 tonnes of CO₂ each year. This reduction in carbon emissions directly supports Sanofi’s global environmental strategy, while demonstrating the Waterford site’s leadership in climate action within the Irish pharmaceutical sector.

Its delivery was completed within a four-month schedule, mobilising a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 professionals across design, engineering and installation. Greenvolt Next will operate and maintain the facility for 20 years, ensuring performance, safety and reliability throughout its lifecycle. The project strengthens the site’s long-term competitiveness, ensuring it can continue to grow, innovate and manufacture high-quality medicines sustainably.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler said: “This is an impressive initiative that represents a significant step forward for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure in Waterford. It is so important that we strive to continue developing smart energy solutions at community level. Such local investments in renewable energy are particularly important in the context of our national commitments and climate targets, I was particularly struck by the team leading out on this initiative in Sanofi – the energy, the enthusiasm is so encouraging. It sets a precedent for others to follow, having one of the largest renewable installations of this kind in the heart of our city.”

Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland & UK, added: “This project is particularly meaningful for us, not only because it delivers a direct positive impact for the Waterford community – where Greenvolt Next is also based – but also because it reflects the trust placed in our expertise and execution capabilities by a global company of Sanofi’s scale. We have built a strong track record across multiple industries, including a significant presence in the pharma cluster, which continues to reinforce our leadership in the commercial and industrial renewable energy sector,”

Cian O Brien, Site Lead, Sanofi Ireland, said: “Generating our own renewable energy on-site is vital in helping us meet our sustainability targets, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 across all scopes, with a trajectory towards carbon neutrality by 2030. With Greenvolt Next Ireland’s expertise in renewable energy installations for large businesses like us, we will be able to significantly reduce our reliance on the grid, generating 20% of our energy on-site each year.”

Greenvolt Next is a pan-European platform operating across 12 countries, specialising in distributed-generation solutions for the commercial and industrial sector. In Ireland, the company has a long-standing presence – formerly known as Enerpower – and continues to support businesses in their transition toward more efficient and sustainable energy models.

Ørsted installs first turbines on wind farm in Farranrory, Tipperary

The first wind turbines have successfully been installed at Farranrory Onshore Wind Farm in Co. Tipperary, Ireland: Ørsted’s 22nd wind farm on the island of Ireland.

Located near Ballingarry, the onshore wind farm will consist of nine Nordex N133 4.8 MW turbines and will substantially improve the Irish grid via a 33.5km 110kV connection to Ballyragget substation in Co. Kilkenny. Once fully operational the wind farm will have capacity to supply 43.2 MW of renewable electricity, which is enough to power up to 25,000 households.

Beyond generating more renewable electricity, Farranrory Wind Farm is the first development in the world to incorporate road markers made from recycled turbine blades. By recycling old blades from Ørsted’s recently retired Owenreagh 1 windfarm in Northern Ireland, the onshore development supports the company’s commitment to either reuse, recycle, or recover every wind turbine blade that reaches its end of life.

TJ Hunter Vice President of Onshore Ireland & UK, Ørsted said, “We are really proud to reach this milestone for turbine installation at Farranrory. It brings contemporary leading-edge turbine and grid technology together to help secure Ireland’s energy system. Using recycled blades from our oldest windfarm to make marker posts for our newest windfarm brings the meaning of circular economy to the next level. We are grateful to the community and stakeholders who are working with us every day to make this project a success.”

The development was awarded a contract under the Irish Government’s third onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 3) auction in 2023 and is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2026. Once operational it will have a community benefit fund of over €280,000 per annum.

In 2025, Cork based Ørsted Onshore Ireland is constructing 179.2 MW of additional renewable capacity in Ireland, including our first two Irish solar farms. Together, these projects will bring Ørsted’s operational capacity across solar power and onshore wind in Ireland and Northern Ireland to over 550 MW.

Certa expands to 25 HVO sites across Ireland

Certa, which is part of DCC plc, is expanding to 25 HVO fuel sites across Ireland as it responds to soaring demand from thousands of diesel drivers who are choosing the renewable fuel to reduce their carbon emissions while they hold back on switching to an electric vehicle (EV).

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) is produced from waste plant matter and can be used as a direct replacement for diesel without any need for engine modifications to help motorists lower their carbon emissions by up to 90%.

Demand for HVO is being driven by diesel drivers who want to ‘go green’ but who have put off switching to an electric vehicle (EV) for a variety of reasons, including the cost of buying an EV, the lack of charging infrastructure across the country, and not having their own driveway or off-street parking where they can install a home charger.

Certa is expanding its HVO offering at a rapid pace and its new HVO fuel site in Portlaoise, which opens to the public this week, is the 25th such site to open over the past 18 months across 17 counties, marking a significant milestone for the company and the fuel industry in Ireland.

Certa opened Ireland’s first fully fledged HVO fuel station in Liffey Valley in late 2023 at a cost of €1 million. 15 of the 25 HVO fuel sites that Certa currently operates have opened over the past eight months and the company has plans to open five more HVO fuel sites over the coming months.

Certa operates a total of 54 forecourt sites and is now the largest supplier of HVO to motorists across Ireland. Demand for the renewable fuel has also been helped by Certa’s decision to provide the new HVO pumps alongside its diesel and petrol pumps. The fuel is distinguished by a pink nozzle to stand out from the traditional black diesel and green petrol nozzles.

Orla Stevens, Managing Director, Certa Ireland said:

“Certa is delighted to open our 25th HVO fuel site in Portlaoise this week and to continue leading the way in making HVO more widely available to motorists across Ireland. Our goal is to make it easy for motorists to transition to HVO as a renewable alternative to diesel to help them to lower their carbon emissions.

‘Diesel and petrol cars accounts for 84% (2.14 million) of the cars on Irish roads. 17% of all   new cars sold in Ireland so far this year were diesel. Diesel drivers are holding off on making the switch to EV driving for a variety of reasons. HVO provides an alternative solution and diesel drivers are switching to this biofuel where it is available to them.

“The demand for HVO has grown as we have opened each new HVO fuel site across our network and our plan is to complete the upgrading of our entire network into next year as we continue our journey towards a net zero future.”

The Certa and Emo forecourts selling HVO include Liffey Valley, Finglas (Clearwater), Dundrum, Clarehall, Tallaght and Greenogue in Dublin; Lee Tunnel in Cork, Corofin in Clare, Letterkenny in Donegal, Ballinasloe in Galway, Maynooth in Kildare, Killarney in Kerry, Portlaoise in Laois, Moyne in Longford, Dundalk in Louth, Ballyhaunis in Mayo, Trim in Meath, Kilcormac in Offaly, Clonmel in Tipperary, Waterford city in Waterford, Athlone and Mullingar in Westmeath, and Castlebridge, Gorey and Wexford town in Wexford.

SolarSmart Wins Irish SFA Award for Transforming Solar Energy Accessibility & Powering Ireland’s Path to 1 Million Solar Rooftops.

SolarSmart Energy Ltd, Ireland’s only female-owned domestic and commercial solar company, has been awarded the Irish Small Firms Association (SFA) Services Award. This national recognition underscores SolarSmart’s impact in making solar power more accessible and financially viable for Irish homeowners, businesses, and farmers.

Empowering Solar Adoption in Ireland
Founded by Morgan Pierce in 2020, SolarSmart has rapidly become a leader in Ireland’s renewable energy sector. The company has installed over 1,200 solar PV systems, contributing nearly 7 Megawatts annually toward Ireland’s climate action goals. SolarSmart’s customer-centric approach, including up-front SEAI grants and hassle-free financing, has removed traditional barriers to solar adoption, making it easier and more affordable to transition to renewable energy.

“Winning this award is a huge honour and a reflection of our team’s dedication to delivering top-tier solar solutions with customer service at the core,” said Morgan Pierce, Founder and CEO of SolarSmart. “Our mission is to ensure that solar power is not just an environmental choice but also a financially smart one for every Irish household and business.”

Powering Ireland’s Electricity Demand & Driving a Renewable Future
Ireland’s electricity demand is set to rise by 45% over the next decade, fueled by increasing consumption from data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps. This growing energy demand underscores the urgent need for scalable, sustainable solutions.

At the same time, with a target of 1 million solar rooftops by 2030, equating to 2.5 gigawatts of capacity or 22% of all residential electricity demand, Ireland is currently far behind. Estimates suggest that only 100,000 homes have installed solar, leaving 900,000 more to be equipped in the next five years.

SolarSmart is leading the charge in closing this gap. By prioritising affordability, customer service, and sustainability, the company is enabling the transition to solar with ease. Committed to accelerating Ireland’s renewable future, SolarSmart aims to install 5,000 solar systems annually, ensuring that the country stays on track to meet its energy and climate commitments.

SolarSmart’s growth trajectory has been exceptional, more than doubling installations each year. Key business driver milestones include:

Up-Front SEAI Grant Processing: SolarSmart became one of the first solar companies in Ireland to credit the SEAI grant to customers immediately, eliminating the financial strain of waiting for reimbursements.
New Low-Interest Financing Option: Launched in partnership with Finance Ireland, allowing homeowners to install solar panels for a lower monthly cost than their expected energy savings.

The Team & 4-Day Workweek for Installation Group: A first in the Irish solar industry, ensuring work-life balance for staff who often travel long hours for installations. This initiative has resulted in zero employee attrition in 2024, a remarkable achievement in a sector struggling with workforce retention.

Customer-First Approach: With 86% of support tickets resolved within one business day and a 1-hour response time, SolarSmart sets the standard for aftercare in the solar industry.

About SolarSmart
A leading provider of photovoltaic (PV) solutions for homes, businesses, and farms across Ireland. Founded in 2020, the company has installed over 1,200 systems to date, contributing to Ireland’s renewable energy transition. SolarSmart offers innovative financing solutions and industry-leading customer service to make solar energy more accessible and cost-effective.

For more information, visit https://solarsmart.ie

Other solar power news

Ørsted secures solar and wind renewable energy contracts under Irish RESS 3 auction

Ørsted has secured two contracts in the Irish Government’s third onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 3) auction. The approved Ørsted projects were the 81 MW Garreenleen Solar Farm in Carlow, and the 43.2 MW Farranrory Onshore Wind Farm in Tipperary. 

Commenting on the provisional results of the RESS 3 auction, Kieran White, Senior Vice President of Onshore in Region Europe at Ørsted, said: “With a combined output of 124 MW, these projects will assist in driving down the cost of electricity compared to fossil fuel generation and contribute to Ireland’s overall energy independence while meeting our value creation targets. We expect to deliver the projects before 2030 within the RESS 3 timelines.”  

 A total of 24 onshore wind and solar projects, including Ørsted’s two projects, cleared in the RESS 3 auction at an average strike price of EUR 100.47 per MWh.

Ørsted’s Irish headquarters are based in Cork City, where it employs over 100 people. Ørsted currently operates 378 MW of onshore wind across the island of Ireland, producing enough power for over 230,000 homes. Ørsted recently announced a partnership with ESB to jointly develop an Irish offshore wind portfolio and a partnership with Terra Solar to develop 400MW of solar energy.  

Ranked as one of the world’s most sustainable energy companies, Ørsted has over 5.7 GW of onshore renewables in operation, under construction or consented across the United States and Europe.