Up to 60 new full-time jobs are to be created after a €220 million deal was signed by BNRG Renewables and French company Neoen to build 23 solar projects in Ireland. The joint venture will be called BNRG Neoen Holdings and will develop, construct, own and operate solar projects around the country. The capacity of the projects, mainly located in the South and East of the country, will 200 megawatts (MW) along with a planned total investment that is expected to exceed €220 million. Construction is to commence in mid-2018 with the final projects to be constructed by 2020. BNRG Renewables expect to submit multiple projects for planning over the coming months. BNRG has already developed and constructed more than €230 million of Solar PV projects in Europe since 2007, including the completion last year of a portfolio of more than 20 MW of projects that it owns and operates in the UK. “This unique partnership represents a significant investment in renewable energy in Ireland and will be well positioned to deliver first-class projects, and real value to the Irish consumer,” said David Maguire, director of BNRG Renewables. “We are delighted to partner with Neoen on our Irish portfolio and look forward to working closely together. There is an excellent strategic alliance between the two groups as both continue to expand their activities in Ireland and internationally,” he added. BNRG is based in Dublin and specialises in developing power plants with zero carbon emissions. Neoen is an independent power producer that generates electricity from renewable sources including solar, wind and biomass.