Tipperary Council grants land to SSE Airtricity for solar farm project
Clonmel site sold to SSE Airtricity for €500k to power local industry with solar energy
Tipperary County Council has formally approved the transfer of land in Clonmel to facilitate the development of a new solar farm.
During the September meeting of the local authority, councillors were asked to decide on the disposal of a 13.32-acre site at Toberaheena, Ard Gaoithe. The land is to be signed over to SSE Airtricity for the purpose of constructing a solar energy facility.
The site lies on the eastern edge of the Boston Scientific and Abbott Vascular plants and was originally acquired by the council as part of a 23.32-acre purchase from the HSE in 2023.
The motion to dispose of the land was put forward by Councillor Pat English, who is currently serving as mayor of Clonmel, and subsequently approved.
Under the terms of the agreement, the land will be transferred to SSE Airtricity for €500,000. In addition, the company will pay an annual rate of €30,750, with 3% compound interest applied. The arrangement provides for a 25-year lease, which will proceed subject to planning permission being granted.
The disposal also includes a power purchase agreement. This stipulates that electricity generated by the new solar farm will be sold to nearby industries, contributing directly to local energy supply.
Importantly, the move is intended to support Tipperary County Council’s broader environmental goals, including the target of generating 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030.