Construction has begun on the first of 20 solar farms in Co Cork, with an estimated cost of €200m. The farms are expected to generate enough electricity to power 80,000 homes after completion. The sod was turned by Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney at Kilmoney, Carrigaline, the first of five sites due to open by September and October, with the remainder to come online by 2026. Company Amarenco has already obtained planning permission for several other sites, including Ballard, Midleton, Timoleague, Cobh, Currabinny, and Béal na Bláth. The solar farms are expected to help the Irish energy sector meet its legally binding targets by 2030, increasing the current 6% of energy production from solar power.
