Lirion Power, an Irish renewable power operator and developer, has announced the acquisition of a 77 MW portfolio of operating onshore wind farms from Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), part of BlackRock. The transaction is expected to close shortly.
The portfolio comprises five operational wind farms — Acres, Barranafaddock, Knockaneden, Ballagh and Raragh 2 — located across Donegal, Waterford, Kerry, Limerick and Meath.
The acquisition will expand Lirion Power’s renewable energy platform to 200 MW, strengthening its position as an owner and operator in Ireland’s renewable power market. The company, backed by HitecVision and Reinova Partners, said further portfolio growth is planned in the coming months.
Focus on Life Extension, Hybridisation and Repowering
The acquired portfolio includes GE and Enercon wind turbines with capacities ranging from 2.3 MW to 2.85 MW. Lirion Power plans to focus on extending the operational life of the assets while exploring hybridisation and repowering opportunities.
The company’s strategy centres on maximising renewable electricity generation from existing sites and making greater use of established grid connections. It also plans to integrate complementary technologies, including solar generation and battery energy storage, where appropriate.
According to Lirion Power, optimising existing renewable assets could help deliver additional lower-cost generation, improve security of electricity supply and support Ireland’s climate and renewable energy objectives.
“Maximising and expanding the contribution from existing assets is the lowest cost of power generation capacity. Our strategy is to ensure these assets can continue to generate clean, low-cost electricity long into the future, while maximising the use of existing grid connections by adding complementary technologies such as solar and battery storage,” said Donal O’Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of Lirion Power.
Acquisition Opens New Corporate PPA Opportunities
The expanded portfolio is also expected to create additional opportunities for Irish businesses seeking renewable electricity through long-term corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
As life-extension, hybridisation and repowering initiatives progress, Lirion Power expects to make additional contracted renewable capacity available to the corporate PPA market. The company said this could help businesses meet sustainability objectives while securing greater long-term electricity price certainty.
Lirion Power also emphasised its intention to remain an active local owner and continue engagement with communities surrounding its renewable energy projects.
“The communities that have hosted these sites for years are the same communities we’ll be working alongside as we continue to operate the existing assets and invest in their next phase,” O’Sullivan added.
