Developer defends proposed Kildare solar farm project
Photo for illustrative purposes only
THE developer of a proposed solar farm in south Kildare has defended its practices after criticism was levelled at it during a public meeting last week.
Solar company BNRG Renewables has disputed claims made at a meeting of locals regarding issues with its proposed Maganey solar farm, including claims around public consultation and noise levels.
Around 140 locals attended a public meeting at Levitstown Hall last Monday, where opposition to the 114-hectare (281-acre) project was expressed.
BNRG’s application, which is currently being considered by Kildare County Council, will span the townlands of Beaconstown, Johnstown North and South, Kilkea Upper and Crooket, just inside Kildare’s borders with Carlow and Laois.
At the Levitstown meeting, solicitor Dermot Flanagan called into question the nature and adequacy of BNRG’s communication and consultation with locals, including a meeting held by BNRG in Castledermot over the summer.
A spokesperson for the solar company, in a statement to the Kildare Nationalist, said they have engaged extensively with locals: ‘We engaged extensively with local residents through our dedicated Community Liaison Officer, our public information clinic, one-two-one engagements with many local residents and landowners, as well as leaflet drops and a dedicated website.
‘We have taken feedback on board by removing or relocating proposed panels in certain areas, increasing setbacks from homes with direct views of the development, and strengthening proposed screening and landscaping.’
The company also described itself as ‘an Irish renewable energy company with nearly 20 years’ experience in developing solar farms in partnership with local communities’.
Speaking to the Kildare Nationalist, Maganey Solar Concern Group secretary Brendan Pittman further disputed the company’s characterisation of itself and of its approach to public consultation.
“The (BNRG’s Castledermot meeting) was called at short notice. It was only 10 days’ notice. And the leaflet drop, like there's been such feedback we've been on that, that the leaflets only went to half of the houses that were affected.
“In terms of the invite, the invite didn't go out effectively to that meeting. I would say there's 13 houses that are directly beside the site. I think only half of those got an invite to that meeting in Castledermot, which was on the 16th of June.”
Mr Pittman said locals of the south Kildare area who work in Dublin would not have been able to attend the meeting due to the time at which it was held.
Mr Pittman said the meeting did not meet the standards of consultation.
There were also fears raised about the noises generated by solar farms at last week’s meeting of locals.
BNRG said it had used noise assessments to inform the design and would take measures to limit noise and disruption during construction.
The company added: ‘Solar farms are generally very quiet and whereas supporting electrical equipment can emit low-level noise we used noise assessments to inform a design that takes account of the area’s natural terrain and land contours. We have also set out measures to limit noise and disruption during construction.’ Mr Pittman told the Kildare Nationalist that he recently visited BNRG’s solar farm in Dunmurry, north of Kildare Town, where he was “shocked” at the noise coming from inverters on the solar panels. He described the noise as a “high-pitched tonal hum that sounds like there’s a drone flying over”, which was audible at the roadside near the site.
He said that his group wanted to hire an acoustician to conduct a noise assessment, but the timeframe for the preparation of a noise report was too short.
At Monday’s meeting, local resident Stephen Croncota said that BNRG's CEO indicated the project could be sold to an investment company, or "vulture fund”, after construction.
BNRG’s statement expressed an openness to outside investment.
The company said: ‘BNRG currently intends to own and operate the proposed Maganey solar development, though are not averse to investment by other parties in the future.
‘The planning application is currently under consideration by Kildare County Council, and BNRG fully respects the independent planning process. We will continue to engage with local residents and respond to their queries throughout that process.’ Mr Pittman told this newspaper that BNRG announced the sale of three Irish solar projects in July.
