Boliden solar farm planning approved

Boliden Tara Mines has been granted planning permission to develop a 18MW solar farm on an 34ha site at Liscartan and Knockumber, adjacent to the mine.

Meath County Council has approved the facility which is to provide “a secure source of clean, renewably generated energy to the Tara Mines facility”.

The proposed development would not connect to the national grid but would, instead, connect to the existing electricity substation located within the Tara Mines site.

In a statement the company said: "As we look to safeguard the long-term future of the mine, we have been exploring ways to improve our sustainability performance and establish greater control over our energy costs.

We note the decision that has been made by Meath County Council, and a final decision on whether to construct a solar farm will be taken at a later date."

The company had sought a ten-year planning permission for a solar energy development with a total site area of approximately 34 hectares comprising photovoltaic solar panels on steel mounting frames; electrical inverters; electrical power stations; an electrical control building and associated electrical apparatus; underground electrical and communications cabling; on-site access tracks;) a temporary construction compound; security fencing and security gates; pole-mounted security cameras; and all associated and ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works.

The operational lifetime of the proposed development of the solar farm is 35-years.