Activ8 Solar Energies has commenced generating power at Ireland's largest behind-the-meter co-located renewable.

The €3m Liffey Meats Solar Farm combines a 4.5MW solar farm with an existing 3MW wind turbine at the Liffey Meats facility in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan.

Liffey Meats expects the project to significantly enhance its energy resilience while delivering major carbon savings.

Derek McDermott, chief financial officer of Liffey Meats, said: “This investment reinforces our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.

"By generating renewable energy onsite, we’re ensuring long-term energy resilience for our operations, contributing meaningfully to Ireland’s climate goals, and our target to deliver a carbon neutral value chain.” 

The solar farm is made up of 6,640 solar panels, each with an output of 700w, generating enough clean energy to offset 590,000kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually. 

“This installation is not just about energy savings; it represents a significant step forward for how industrial energy users in Ireland can adopt renewables at scale,” said Ciarán Marron, chief executive of Activ8 Energies.

“The team at Activ8, led by Commercial Operations Director, Martin Mulholland, delivered a project  which demonstrates what is possible through innovation and partnership."

The initiative was supported by grant funding from SEAI under the Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) scheme and created employment for approximately 60 people during peak construction. 

Declan Meally, director of business with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, added: “Projects like this demonstrate the importance of combining ambition with practical solutions.

"Co-located renewable energy systems provide the opportunity to maximise the benefit of electrical energy infrastructure and are the kind of innovation Ireland needs to meet its climate commitments.” 

This is the first large-scale co-location of solar and wind energy to be connected at this scale in Ireland.

To enable safe and efficient operation of both the existing 3MW wind turbine and the new 4.5MW solar farm, a state-of-the-art SCADA system was implemented to meet ESBN and EirGrid regulations, setting a new benchmark for hybrid renewable energy projects in the country. 

Photo: (l-r) Ciaran Marron and Derek McDermott. (Pic: Supplied)