The latest renewable energy news includes announcements on Ardian, Ireland’s utility-scale solar, EDF, Blyth 2 floating offshore wind project, and others.
Ardian Takes Full Ownership of 460 MW Texas Wind Portfolio From MEAG
Ardian has acquired MEAG’s minority interests in the Horse Creek and Electra wind farms in Texas, consolidating full ownership of two operational projects with combined installed capacity of 460 MW. MEAG had managed its investment on behalf of Munich Re since 2017, while both wind farms have been operating since 2016 in the ERCOT electricity market. The transaction value was not disclosed. Ardian was already a long-term partner in the assets and said full ownership gives it greater flexibility to execute future asset-management strategies. The transaction demonstrates continued institutional demand for mature operating U.S. renewable assets, where investors can acquire established generation and cash flows rather than assuming greenfield development risk. MEAG manages approximately €374 billion in assets globally.
Irish Utility-Scale Solar Hits Record 1.4 GW and Supplies 34% of Demand
Ireland’s utility-scale solar fleet has reached a new all-island generation milestone of approximately 1.4 GW, demonstrating the rapid growth of photovoltaic capacity across Ireland and Northern Ireland. During the record period, solar supplied roughly 34 percent of electricity demand, highlighting how quickly PV has moved from a marginal source into a significant contributor to the island’s power system. The record increases the importance of battery storage, flexible demand and stronger grid infrastructure because large amounts of midday solar output must be balanced with wind generation and electricity demand. Ireland has historically relied heavily on wind for renewable power, but accelerating solar deployment is creating a more diversified renewable-generation mix. The milestone also strengthens the investment case for hybrid solar-storage developments and grid-flexibility technologies.
EDF Cancels 58 MW Blyth 2 Floating Offshore Wind Project EDF has terminated plans to develop the 58 MW Blyth 2 floating offshore wind project off northeast England, removing one of the UK’s planned early commercial-scale floating wind developments from the pipeline. Blyth 2 was intended to build on EDF’s existing Blyth offshore wind operations and demonstrate floating technology in deeper waters. The cancellation is significant because the UK is seeking rapid expansion of floating wind capacity, particularly through projects in the Celtic Sea and other deeper-water regions. Floating developments continue to face higher costs than conventional fixed-bottom projects, alongside challenges involving ports, supply chains, financing and turbine technology. Ending Blyth 2 illustrates the commercial pressure developers face when demonstration-scale projects cannot achieve a sufficiently attractive risk-return profile despite their strategic technology value.
