UK-based independent power producer Elgin has acquired the 40MWp Kilderry Solar Farm project in County Kilkenny from German renewables developer BayWa r.e. The project sits close to several of Elgin’s existing Irish development assets, which the company says improves the economics of building them together.

Elgin develops, builds, owns and operates solar and storage assets in the UK, Ireland and Italy, with a pipeline of more than 10GW and more than 300MW under construction across the UK and Ireland. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners acquired a majority stake in Elgin in 2024 and invested £250 million alongside management.

BayWa r.e. is a Munich-based renewable energy developer and independent power producer with revenues of almost €5.8 billion and a presence in 34 countries.

The structural driver is clustering, with buyers acquiring projects next to their existing sites so that grid, construction and operating arrangements can be shared. Elgin announced the deal on Monday, following its recent purchase of the roughly 200MW Blackhall Solar Farm development in County Meath from GP Joule, and the company is pairing selective acquisitions with its organic development pipeline.

Dermot Kelleher, chief executive of Elgin, said “we see opportunities to replicate this approach across our portfolio, identifying strategically located projects that complement our existing assets and enhance overall project economics.”

Gemma Hamilton, managing director of BayWa r.e. UK, said “given the project’s location and particular strategic fit with Elgin’s existing assets in the area, this transaction creates a unique opportunity to accelerate Kilderry Solar Farm towards delivery under Elgin’s ownership.” She added that BayWa r.e. would remain focused on its wider 1GW solar pipeline in Ireland.

For the sector, Kilderry shows developers selling individual Irish solar projects to neighbouring owners, while retaining focus on their larger pipelines, as the market shifts towards clusters of adjacent assets and shared infrastructure.

Source: renewablesnow.com / energy-infrastructure-partners.com