Issue 90
From heartbreak in Basel to hope in Tullamore—climate wins, concrete hacks, and a crowd-pleaser of a conference.
Afternoon.
Well, my brain is entirely fried today. The joyous highs of another stomping success with the BnM Accelerate Green Conference, and the dismal heartbreak of Basel last night. Emmy did us proud, but it hurts that yet again we miss out on an Irish performance in tomorrow night’s Grand Final.
Reader, send me a recommendation for a tune or two to lift me out of this funk!
Anyway, for those of you who couldn’t join us in Tullamore yesterday for the event, we wrote you a handy summary of our experiences on the day. Hopefully it will fill you with FOMO, and entice you along to the 2026 edition 😊
Now on with the issue…
Here’s the news round-up for Issue 90:
Some significant funding news to start: the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) has launched a €1BN Climate Action Investment Programme with an initial €160M committed to three projects: a €70 million investment in the Dublin-based renewable energy developer NTR, a €50M allocation to the European Climate Infrastructure Fund III managed by Glennmont Partners, and a €40M commitment to the Just Climate fund.
HitecVision and Reinova Partners have launched Lirion Power, a new Irish renewable energy platform, following the €156M acquisition of six onshore wind farms totaling 166 MW from Greencoat Renewables. Lirion Power aims to expand through acquiring mid-life wind assets and enhancing them via repowering, re-contracting, and co-located solar and battery storage projects.
The Irish government has released the Terms and Conditions for the fifth Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 5) auction, reinforcing its commitment to expanding onshore renewable energy in line with the Climate Action Plan. The auction process begins with qualification applications opening on 29 May 2025 and concludes with final results announced on 15 October 2025.
Wrightbus, the Ballymena-based zero-emission bus manufacturer, has secured a £150M finance package from HSBC UK to accelerate its global expansion in green transport.
Greenore Port in Co Louth is moving forward with plans to establish an Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) operations base after the withdrawal of an appeal against the project. The development is expected to enhance Ireland's offshore wind infrastructure and stimulate regional economic growth.
Ørsted has commenced construction on its second Irish solar farm, a 55MW project located in Co. Wexford. Expected to be operational by 2026, the facility will generate enough renewable electricity to power up to 16,000 homes.
Two onshore wind projects getting the refurbishment nod: ESB has received planning approval to repower its oldest wind farm at Crockahenny, near the Illies in Inishowen. The project will replace ten outdated 1998-era turbines with two modern units, significantly taller and more efficient, while retaining the existing substation connection to the national grid.
While Ireland's national planning authority has approved a significant upgrade to the Kilvinane Wind Farm in County Cork. The three-turbine site, operated by Ameresco subsidiary, Cork Sustainable Energy Limited (CSEL), will undergo enhancements aimed at improving operational efficiency and extending its working life.
Carlow County Council has approved a 10-year planning permission for a 73-hectare solar farm spanning multiple local townlands and parishes. The development includes ground-mounted panels, transformer and weather stations, underground cabling, CCTV, and access roads—some crossing beneath the M9 motorway—and is expected to generate renewable electricity for up to 40 years.
Tipperary County Council has approved Nua Bioenergy Ltd's application to construct an anaerobic digestion plant in Killoran, Moyne, near Thurles. The facility will feature multiple digester tanks and biogas conditioning units to convert organic waste into renewable energy, with the council's decision including 14 conditions.
BNRG has announced plans to seek planning permission for a 32MW solar farm near the Kildare-Laois border. The proposed 52-hectare site, spanning Kilmullen in Laois and Coolnafearagh in Kildare, is designed to accommodate ongoing sheep grazing and includes measures to enhance biodiversity and minimise visual impact. A public consultation clinic is scheduled for 21 May 2025 at Portarlington Community Centre, with a planning application expected later this summer.
Musgrave has signed a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with SSE Airtricity to source energy from the 52.5MW Sonnagh Old wind farm in Galway. The agreement will help power over 300 Musgrave locations across Ireland, supporting the group’s goal to reach net zero by 2040.
What goes up, must come down. GE Vernova has filed plans to decommission the Arklow Bank Wind Farm, Ireland’s
firstonly (last? 🤷) offshore wind project, after two decades of operation. Commissioned in 2005, the seven-turbine installation generated 1.29 GWh of renewable energy, supporting approximately 16,000 homes annually, and contributed to the local economy through job creation and regional investment. Decommissioning activities are scheduled for spring or summer, with coordination underway with MARA and An Bord Pleanála to ensure a responsible transition. Here’s an interesting wager: will any of Ireland’s other proposed offshore farms be operational before Arklow Bank is fully decommissioned? It’s a bit like Liz Truss versus the lettuce…
Coffey has completed an €11.5M upgrade of the Enfield Wastewater Treatment Plant in County Meath, enhancing its capacity to serve up to 9,000 residents. The project introduced sustainable innovations such as sludge drying reed beds and a state-of-the-art sludge import facility, aiming to reduce environmental impact and support long-term regional growth.
The Irish Government has launched a public consultation on the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), aiming to gather views on extending and improving support for renewable heat technologies like biomass and biogas. The consultation will run for eight weeks (closing June 11), with a particular focus on how to better support anaerobic digestion and improve uptake among SMEs and public sector organisations.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has launched its 2025 National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme, inviting applications from public and private sector organisations based in Ireland. The programme aims to accelerate the development and deployment of competitive energy-related products, processes, and systems, support solutions that overcome barriers to energy market uptake, and grow Ireland's capacity in energy RD&D. Applicants can submit proposals under either an Open Strand or a Topic Strand, with the latter focusing on 20 priority research areas, including decarbonisation of transport, grid flexibility, and renewable energy integration. The maximum funding available per project is €1.25M, with project durations ranging from 12 to 48 months. The application deadline is July 1.
Interesting opinion piece from BITCI, which argues that while the CSRD has been challenging to implement, it’s already delivering deep organisational value by embedding sustainability into strategy and decision-making. They warn that proposed EU exemptions could undo this progress, urging businesses and policymakers not to lose momentum just as the real benefits are beginning to show.
Uisce Éireann has launched a new Advanced Water Stewardship Programme for trade effluent customers, offering tailored support to cut costs, reduce environmental impact, and prepare for new regulations arriving in 2026. The free training helps businesses build site-specific Water Charters, with a sharp focus on sustainable water use and compliance.
Trinity College Dublin engineers have pioneered a method to transform biomass ash from BnM’s Edenderry Power Station into low-carbon concrete, achieving over 50% reduction in emissions. Collaborating with FLI Precast Solutions, they developed two techniques: one partially replaces Portland cement with ash, and another entirely substitutes it using geopolymerisation (yes, but can you say it backwards?). This innovation not only addresses ash disposal challenges but also contributes significantly to Ireland's carbon-neutral goals.
Bladebridge has transformed end-of-life wind turbine blades into a striking piece of sheltered seating for South Dublin Council’s Rosemount District Centre, blending accessibility with circular economy innovation. Commissioned by the council in mid-2024, the structure offers wheelchair-friendly benches and bike parking while giving new life to otherwise difficult to recycle materials.
SETU has secured over €224,000 in funding for the new EcoFabulands initiative, a creative sustainability project aimed at engaging communities through immersive storytelling and arts-based learning. The project, which spans Ireland, Portugal, and Poland, will use co-creation and education to help citizens reimagine their role in a more sustainable future.
The Department of Transport is commissioning a €130K research project to understand how to boost EV adoption in Ireland, following a drop in market share from 19% to 14% last year. Poor charging infrastructure, cost concerns, and range anxiety are among the barriers cited, with the eight-month study aiming to deliver an optimisation strategy supported by sentiment analysis and behavioural insights.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will host the "Agriculture & Climate Change: Science into Action" conference on June 5 at Dublin Castle, focusing on the intersection of agriculture and climate change. The event will feature presentations and panel discussions from scientists, policymakers, industry representatives, and farmers, covering topics such as greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, land use emissions, and sustainable farming practices. Attendance is free but requires advance registration, and the conference will be held in person only.
The Irish Sustainability Conference 2025, hosted by Startup Network Europe, will convene an audience of 400 of Ireland's sustainability experts and business leaders on May 20. The event aims to foster collaboration and share insights on advancing sustainable practices across industries.
The "Cork Infrastructure: What's Next?" event, hosted by Women in Infrastructure Ireland, is scheduled for May 23 at the Clayton Hotel Cork City. This gathering aims to explore the future of infrastructure development in Cork, with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and regional growth. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and policymakers to discuss upcoming projects and strategic priorities shaping the region's built environment.
The Shaking Bog Festival returns to Wicklow on Saturday, May 17, offering a full day of immersive experiences that blend art and nature across Enniskerry, Bray, and the Glencree Valley. Highlights include a dawn chorus walk with ornithologist Seán Ronayne, a wildflower and pollinator walk led by botanist Jane Stout, family-friendly bug hunts, and evening performances featuring poetry by Jane Robinson and music by violinist Lynda O’Connor and cellist Ailbhe McDonagh. The festival aims to foster connection and reflection through shared encounters with the natural world.
I’ll close again (this is becoming a trend!) with another piece marking an increased focus on biodiversity and nature-positive actions: the Irish government has acquired a 5.75-hectare coastal site on the Belmullet Peninsula in North Mayo to support the conservation of the endangered corncrake. This habitat-rich area will provide essential shelter and food sources for the species, aligning with broader efforts to restore biodiversity in Ireland.
