Statkraft Ireland: A company brimming with positive energy
It’s now just over five years since Statkraft – Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy – entered the market here. Since then, its Irish arm has tripled its workforce and tripled its development portfolio, diversifying from onshore wind to other renewable technologies such as offshore wind, solar, battery storage, and grid services.
Statkraft, which is a global company with 5,700 employees across 21 countries, continues to grow as issues around energy security and climate change become increasingly challenging. Here in Ireland, the Cork and Tullamore-based teams are experts in developing, owning, and operating renewable energy projects – projects that are key to enabling Ireland to reach its target of generating 80 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. Statkraft Ireland, which is currently building several wind and solar projects across the country, is up for the challenge.
Last year, it finished construction on the 23-megawatt Taghart Wind Farm in Co. Cavan – the country’s first wind farm to reach energisation under the Government’s Renewable Energy Support Scheme. Since then, it also completed the 34-megawatt Cloghan Wind Farm in Co. Offaly. Over the summer, it finished construction on the country’s biggest solar farm in Co. Meath, while it has also built Ireland’s first two commercial-scale battery projects, both of which are in Co. Kerry.
Statkraft Ireland remains up for the ‘80 by 30’ challenge because of its superb workforce. In February, the company was named Ireland’s Best Small Workplace 2023 and one of Ireland’s Best Workplaces for Women at the Great Place to Work awards. These awards were based on surveys measuring factors including employee development and pride in their organisation. One thing is for sure: there is lots of positive energy in Statkraft Ireland – and it doesn’t just come from its renewable projects.