Matheson advised General Electric on its recently announced corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with tech giant Microsoft, the first deal of its kind in Ireland.

The agreement allows Microsoft to purchase all wind energy produced at GE’s new 37 MW wind farm in Tullahennel, County Kerry.

The project will also produce valuable data on energy storage, with an integrated battery in each turbine which Microsoft and GE will test on its ability to capture and store excess energy and provide it back to the grid.

This will be the first deployment of battery integration into wind turbines to store energy in Europe.

As part of the agreement, Microsoft has also signed a deal with Dublin-based energy trading company ElectroRoute, which will provide energy trading services to Microsoft. Matheson previously advised ElectroRoute on a 2016 partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation.

Garret Farrelly, Matheson partner and head of energy and infrastructure, said the transaction “is the first of its kind in Ireland”.

Mr Farrelly added: “It is evidence of the significant opportunities that exist for corporate buyers in the Irish marketplace who wish to procure their power from renewable generation and the Irish Government’s continuing policy support for the transition to a low carbon economy and sustainable energy system for Ireland.

“Matheson’s role on the transaction illustrates our position as the law firm of choice for international companies investing in Ireland.”