Bord na Móna plan to develop dedicated renewable energy business park

The Bord na Móna Energy Park will be developed across peatlands close to Junction 3 of the M6 motorway at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath.

As the debate on energy use and power supply continues, Bord na Móna plans to develop Ireland’s first dedicated renewable energy business park on 3,000 hectares of its landbanks in Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.

The Bord na Móna Energy Park will be developed across peatlands close to Junction 3 of the M6 motorway at Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath. It is expected to potentially co-locate 200MW+ of electricity directly beside businesses locating in the Energy Park. The electricity will be generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, energy storage and green hydrogen production.

Bord na Móna expects that the energy park will be attractive for industrial and high-demand energy users such as large scale distribution facilities and data centres as the co-located approach is more sustainable, has lower environmental impact and a more optimal use of grid assets. The Bord na Móna Energy Park will facilitate the reduction of energy costs and carbon emissions while guaranteeing a secure and reliable source of power for users. The availability of a 400, 220 and 110 kV grid network within or adjacent to the Bord na Móna landbank will reduce set-up costs and eliminates the need for significant grid extension work. The company expects to lodge a planning application for the new energy park in the next 18 to 24 months. Extensive consultation with the local communities is commencing this week and will take place in the coming months with Community Information Sessions planned for early 2022 for communities adjacent to the proposed park. Further information is available on www.bnmenergypark.ie and www.bordnamona.ie