Plans lodged for 268 acre solar farm outside Ardee
Permission sought for Solar PV Energy Development with associated Battery Energy Storage System Compound
Plans have been lodged with Louth County Council this week for a large solar farm, just under five kilometres from Ardee.
Lightsource Renewable Energy Ireland Ltd, which is owned by British multinational oil and gas company, BP, has applied to Louth County Council for the development on lands c.4.87km northeast of Ardee, Derrycammagh and Bawn, Co Louth.
The applicant is seeking planning permission for a development consisting of a 10 year permission for a solar PV energy development with associated battery energy storage system (BESS) compound with a total site area of c. 108.6 ha (268.4 acres).
The proposed development includes solar panels mounted on steel support structures, associated cabling and ducting, inverters, transformers, switchgear substations, auxiliary transformer, permanent storage containers, monitoring houses, composting toilet, BESS customer substation, battery blocks, BESS inverters and PCS (twin skid), BESS interface cabinets (BIC), backup generator,
The planning application also provides for temporary construction compounds, tracks, boundary security fencing and security gates, CCTV, landscaping and ancillary works including a sheep pen, with a 40 year operational period. Access to the proposed development would be via an existing access point off the R166.
A decision is due on the application by 7 January, with submissions due by 8 December.