Tirlán Solar Farm in Ballyragget enters operation, powering its largest production facility with renewable energy

Tirlán has announced the successful commissioning of its new on‑site solar farm at its multi‑purpose integrated dairy processing facility in Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny, marking a major milestone in the Co‑op’s transition to renewable energy and lower‑carbon manufacturing.

Pictured at the new Tirlán Solar Farm at Ballyragget are (L-R) Colm O'Callaghan Head of Business Development ESB's Smart Energy Services, Mark Power Site Manager Tirlán Ballyragget, Ciarán Gallagher Managing Director ESB's Smart Energy Services, John Murphy Chairperson Tirlán, Dr. Lisa Koep Chief ESG Officer Tirlán, Steven McCullagh Project Manager ESB's Smart Energy Services, Kevin Tunstead Site Facilities & Environmental Manager Tirlán Ballyragget and John Finlay Utilities Excellence & Sustainability Manager Tirlán Ballyragget.

The 6.5‑hectare, 8 MWp ground‑mounted solar farm is a behind‑the‑meter, self‑generation project, meaning all electricity produced is consumed directly on site at the Ballyragget facility. The solar farm is expected to generate approximately 7.6 GWh of clean, renewable electricity annually, meeting around 34% of the site’s imported electricity demand and significantly reducing reliance on grid power.

Over its expected 25‑year lifespan, the solar installation will offset close to 50,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. The Ballyragget solar farm was delivered in partnership with ESB's Smart Energy Services, with construction works carried out by Grange Solar, and forms a key part of Tirlán’s wider Living Proof sustainability strategy. 

Commenting on the launch, John Murphy, Chairperson Tirlán, said the project represents a significant step forward in strengthening the energy resilience of the co‑operative’s largest processing site. “This solar farm is a major investment in clean, indigenous energy and a key milestone in our journey to decarbonise operations at Ballyragget. It will deliver long‑term environmental and economic benefits while reducing exposure to energy volatility,” he said. 

Lisa Koep, Chief ESG Officer Tirlán, said the project demonstrates how large‑scale renewable solutions can be integrated into energy‑intensive manufacturing environments. “This investment builds on the success of our FarmGen roof-top solar programme and complements wider initiatives to reduce emissions across our facilities and supply base. As a farmer‑owned co‑operative, collaboration and long‑term thinking are central to how we address climate challenges,” she said. 

The Ballyragget processing facility is one of the largest multi‑purpose integrated dairy plants in Europe, employing more than 360 people and processing significant volumes of milk, whey and cream annually. Tirlán has invested over €180 million in developing and upgrading the site over the past decade, including earlier investments in energy‑efficient technologies such as combined heat and power.