Two companies, Danish group Obton and Shannon Energy are planning to spend some €300 million; building plants that will generate electricity from solar panels here in Ireland.
Both companies confirmed last Wednesday that they had formed a joint venture to develop solar farms, latter which uses panels of specially manufactured cells, to convert heat from the sun into electricity.
The joint operation intends to spend some €300 million over the next three years on building these solar farms that would generate up to 500 megawatts of electricity, while creating an estimated 1,000 jobs in the process.
It is understood that the Danish company Obton would provide most of the finance, while Shannon Energy would provide local expertise and do much of the work on the ground.
This joint venture has already earmarked sites in counties Tipperary, Cork, Galway, Longford and Westmeath, where it is expected to install solar panels capable of producing 150 megawatts of electricity, supplying enough energy to cover the annual consumption of some 25,000 private homes.
The new group association remain in talks with farmers regarding the acquisition of other recognised sites here in Ireland, as they estimate that overall, they will require a minimum of 2,000 acres, if their plans are to be brought to fruition.
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