South Offaly solar farm project could span 170 acres

Another major solar farm has got the green light in Offaly, this time in the Killyon and Rath areas stretching over 170 acres.

Summit Solar Ltd got the go ahead recently for a 62MW solar PV development on two separate parcels of land, the first in the townland of Clonbeale Beg Glebe and Rathure North in Killyon, and the second located in the townland of Parkmore, closer to Rath and Fivealley in the south of the county, over a ten year period.

Both of these land holdings will be connected to another already permitted 45MW solar development stretching over a further 111 acres by underground cables (which will be the subject of a separate Strategic Infrastructure Development application) in the Rathmount, Mullanafawnia, and Russellspenn townlands spanning areas of Rath and Killyon. This smaller project, granted in 2020, would see 105,000 photovoltaic panels put in place across the 111 acres of land.

First lodged at the end of July last year, the larger development over 170 acres was paused for a time after Offaly County Council sought a large amount of further information from the developer in September before a final decision could be made. Among the subjects the local authority sought more details on included the site selection process, an assessment of any impact on archaeological remains and the height of panels which the developer clarified will be a maximum height of 2.5 metres.

The applicant subsequently looked for an extension of time to supply the information, which was eventually submitted in May of this year. A clarification of the information supplied was then needed before a final decision to grant approval was announced on June 20, subject to compliance with 19 separate conditions, including the payment of €744,000 in development contributions to the council.

Another stipulation set down as part of the approval goes through the steps to restore the site to its original condition, and dismantle and remove the elements of the development should energy generation cease on-site.

24 Power Hubs with an inverter and transformer, two single-storey communications building, sub-station building, storage premises, GRP kiosk and twelve CCTV cameras mounted on four metre high poles are also included in the latest approved application.

The development will not require any permanent on-site staff post construction, according to planning documents for the Clonbeale Beg Glebe and Rathure North application.