Bord na Móna plans to invest in wind and solar energy infrastructure developments for delivery within this decade.
Bord na Móna has revealed it is planning to raise €1.6bn to fund a series of major climate action projects across its 200,000-acre landholding.
It has appointed Goodbody Corporate Finance to manage the fundraising.
“Bord na Móna’s purpose is to help Ireland become carbon neutral by 2050 and we are committed to delivering this major pipeline of critical climate action projects”
The funding will be used to drive a a series of large scale climate action projects, including wind and solar energy infrastructure developments for delivery in this decade.
Making Ireland carbon neutral
Oweninny Wind Farm, Co Mayo.
“Bord na Móna’s purpose is to help Ireland become carbon neutral by 2050 and we are committed to delivering this major pipeline of critical climate action projects,” said CEO Tom Donnellan.
“Bord na Móna has a national and business imperative to use our land and other assets to develop these projects. We have already discerned a strong appetite from investors for the major renewable projects that we are developing and are delighted that Goodbody is on board to help manage the funding.”
Bord na Móna has six major projects in planning and construction phase with as many more to follow before 2030. The company is already generating 10pc of Irish renewable electricity and is on track to achieve a 300 per cent increase in its renewable energy output in this decade.
Bord na Móna projects that by 2030 it will be generating enough renewable energy to supply nearly a third of all Irish homes. The company’s renewable energy supply will also significantly help Ireland deliver on its carbon reduction and green energy targets.
The funding and investment announcement follows the company’s recent success in the first competitive auction under the Government’s new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS-1). Two Bord na Móna wind energy projects were successful in their bids, winning 158MW total capacity in the auction representing a massive 25pc of the total capacity awarded.
In 2018 the company adopted its Brown to Green strategy with the stated ambition of taking a leading role in delivering key aspects of national climate action policy. Under this strategy the company accelerated its development pipeline of renewable energy and recycling infrastructure.
Bord na Mona has also launched one of the largest peatland restoration and management programmes in Europe. This peatland restoration and management programme will significantly boost biodiversity and is aimed at securing and capturing more carbon in its lands.
“Goodbody has been involved in the funding of renewable energy and infrastructure for over 15 years and we see Bord Na Móna as a key strategic player in Ireland’s drive for carbon neutrality,” said Finbarr Griffin, head of Goodbody Corporate Finance.
Last week, the European Commission proposed cutting 55pc of Europe’s emissions by 2030, up from its previous goal of 40pc, and said it would use hundreds of billions of euros worth of green bonds to help fund the target.
The European Commission funding plan will make €225bn available for climate action projects across the Union.
Written by John Kennedy (john.kennedy3@boi.com)
Published: 23 September, 2020
