Solar farm plans for 500-acre site in Kilcock lodged

An application for a solar farm development on 500 acres of land in the Kilcock area have been lodged with Meath County Council.

GP Joule Ireland Limited is seeking a ten year planning permission to construct a solar farm with a 40-year operation and its subsequent decommissioning on 205.15 hectares at Mulhussey, Batterstown, Longtown, Mullagh and Milltown townlands, Kilcock, Co Meath.

The solar farm comprises of three separate land parcels divided by local roads. The proposed solar farm will consist of a series of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, mounted on steel support structures and in some areas on concrete shoes to protect possible underground archaeological features, together with 58 electrical transformation enclosures, underground cabling, two temporary construction compounds and use of existing one hardstanding, the use of existing farm access tracks, existing site entrances, widening of three existing site entrance, inverters, CCTV poles and cameras, deer type security/boundary fencing with some areas of boundary development on concrete shoes to further protect possible underground archaeological features, landscaping and biodiversity measures for the purpose of generating renewable energy electricity and transmitting it. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the application.

Meanwhile, Meath Co Council has granted a ten-year planning permission to Solar Farmers Ltd, part of the Energia Group, for a solar farm development on 41.3 hectares at Pilltown and Ballymad, Drogheda.

The development includes solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, 11 MV Power Stations, one client substation, 10 battery storage containers, one temporary construction compound, tracks, boundary security fencing and security gates, CCTV, landscaping and ancillary works.