Permission to be sought for South Offaly solar farm

Plans for another significant solar farm in Offaly are in the offing.

Ensource Ireland Ltd has signalled its intention to seek permission for a solar farm with maximum export capacity of up to 40MW at Ballindown, Bogderries, Ballywilliam and Ballynaguilsha townlands, in the Eglish area of South Offaly.

The developers have stated the site covers some 70.2 hectares and is located on cutaway bogland. The site is to be accessed off the N52 national primary road linking Birr and Tullamore via the L70006 local road and is located close to the premises of Loughnane Concrete (Birr) Ltd

The plan will involve some 122,904 photovoltaic panels, the construction of a 38kV substation, a transformer unit and ancillary development.

The company had submitted a similar application in 2020 but it was deemed to be withdrawn by Offaly County Council last month when a request for further information had not been answered within the statutory six-month time frame.