Plans lodged for 36-hectare solar farm in Ratoath

A planning application for a solar farm development on a site of 36.3 hectares in Ratoath has been submitted to Meath County Council.

Albatross Solar Limited is seeking permission for the construction of a solar PV energy development and associated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility with an operational life of 40 years on a site in the townlands of Kilbrew, and Loughlinstown, Ratoath.

The development consists of the installation of approximately 208,600 sqm of solar panels on ground mounted frames, three transformer stations, 25 CCTV security cameras mounted on four metre high poles, and deer-proof perimeter security fencing (two metres high) raised 200mm to allow for the movement of small mammals.

The plans include a facility comprising an electrical compound, 180 battery storage units, electrical transformer/inverter station modules, 45 transformers, three storage containers and switch gear rooms.

The proposal provides for the creation of a new access on L50161 public road to facilitate construction and operational phase access, internal access tracks between the solar arrays and the site entrance, a temporary construction compound and all ancillary development works including landscaping and underground cable to connect the proposed transformer stations to a proposed 110kv substation, subject to a separate planning permission under the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006.

Meanwhile, Meath County Council has granted a ten-year planning permission for a separate application by Solar Farmers Ltd for a development on a site of almost 63 hectares at Knavinstown and Coolfore, Curraha.

The proposal includes solar panels mounted on fixed-tilt frames with associated pile-driven support structures, inverters, transformers, a client substation, internal access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter deer fencing, CCTV security poles, welfare facilities and a temporary construction compound.