New operations base to be built to support huge wind farm in Offaly
SSE has secured a site at Rhode Green Energy Park for the construction of a new operations base to support its nearby 101MW Yellow River Wind Farm
SSE Renewables has secured a site at Rhode Green Energy Park for the construction of a new operations base to support its nearby 101MW Yellow River Wind Farm.
The announcement comes following the formal signing of a site agreement at Áras an Chontae in Tullamore between representatives of SSE, Offaly County Council and North Offaly Development Fund CLG.
The agreement to construct the Yellow River operations base in Rhode Green Energy Park marks the next step in SSE’s investment in North Offaly, supporting the supply of clean, secure and affordable renewable energy from the Midlands to Irish homes and businesses.
Renewable energy generated at the 29-turbine Yellow River Wind Farm, which entered operations in 2025, is connected to Ireland’s national grid via SSE’s existing electricity substation at Rhode Green Energy Park.
The new purpose-built operations base will provide a dedicated facility out of which up to six full-time skilled SSE and Nordex technicians will be based to oversee the daily operation of Yellow River’s energy generation activities.
Glenturas Construction has been appointed to lead delivery of the facility which will support the local supply chain in the Midlands. Family-owned fabricator Shanette in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath has been appointed to manufacture and deliver the new 285 sq metre steel-framed structure which will house the facility. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Ghislain Demeuldre, Head of Onshore Wind, Solar and Battery Development at SSE Renewables, said: “Securing this site at Rhode Green Energy Park marks an important step in establishing a long-term operational presence for SSE in Offaly and the Midlands. As Yellow River Wind Farm continues to generate renewable electricity for homes and businesses across Ireland, this new facility will provide a dedicated base for the teams responsible for operating and maintaining the wind farm safely, efficiently and for the long term.
“We’re pleased to continue working in partnership with Offaly County Council and the local community as renewable energy infrastructure in the region continues to grow.”
Eugene Mulligan, Chairman of North Offaly Development Fund CLG., said: “The development of this operations hub is a real show of confidence in the park's future as a leader in sustainable energy production and storage and reinforces our commitment to establishing Rhode as a hub for cutting-edge, green innovation which supports co location opportunities for future employers in the area.”
Orla Martin, Head of Enterprise with Offaly County Council, said: “The development of SSE’s new operations hub is a welcome investment and employment boost for the Green Energy Park in Rhode and the wider North Offaly area, which is the driving engine of Ireland’s renewable energy ambitions. Cementing its position as a leading location for renewable energy innovation and reinforcing Offaly’s place at the heart of Ireland’s green transition.”
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SSE Renewables is a leading developer and operator of renewable energy generation, focusing on onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible storage technologies. It is part of electricity infrastructure company SSE plc, a FTSE-100 company with operations across Ireland and the UK, and a presence in carefully selected international markets. SSE Renewables delivers clean power assets to increase SSE’s operational renewable generation capacity as part of the company’s five-year investment plan to 2030. This includes delivery of the world’s largest offshore wind farm in construction, the 3.6GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm. SSE Renewables operates some of the leading onshore wind farms in Ireland including the 174MW Galway Wind Park in Connemara and the 73MW Slieve Kirk Wind Park outside Derry City.