Plans lodged for new Kildare solar farm
Mayo County Council has approved the project
PLANS have been lodged with Kildare County Council for a proposed 26MW solar farm development across approximately 40 hectares of agricultural land in the townlands of Dunnstown, Johnstown, Dunshane and Harristown, near Naas.
The application, submitted by Delamain Solar Farm Ltd, seeks a 10-year planning permission for the construction of the renewable energy development, which would have an operational lifespan of 40 years.
The proposed development would comprise ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels with a total surface area of approximately 150,000 square metres. The site consists of five agricultural fields, covering approximately 40 hectares of land currently used for a mixture of arable farming, silage production and pasture.
The solar farm would be divided into two main sections, connected by underground cabling.
The western section would cover approximately 13 hectares and comprise two fields, while the eastern section would extend to approximately 27 hectares and include three fields.
The plans also include five inverter/transformer centres, three weather stations and four spare parts storage containers, along with new site access tracks and upgrades to existing tracks.
Two new entrances are proposed from the L6044 local road, while underground electrical ducting and cabling would connect the different solar farm field parcels.
The development would also involve the undergrounding of approximately 200 metres of existing overhead electricity line.
In outlining the benefits of the project, the applicant states that the development would contribute to decarbonising Ireland's electricity network and help the country meet its 2030 emissions and renewable energy targets.
These include Ireland's 32 per cent overall renewable energy target under the Renewable Energy Directive, the target of generating 80 per cent of electricity from renewable sources and delivering 8GW of solar energy under the Climate Action Plan 2025.
According to the planning documentation, the project would help reduce Ireland's reliance on imported fossil fuels, support the transition to a low-carbon economy and strengthen national energy security.
It is also claimed that the development could help Ireland avoid financial penalties associated with failing to meet renewable energy targets, while supporting greater energy price stability and affordability.
