Another major solar farm development planned for Offaly

OFFALY Solar Energy AS Ltd is in the process of applying to Offaly County Council for the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm which will include a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) consisting of 48 units, at lands within the townlands of Lumcloon and Falsk, Gallen.

The application will also seek permission to build a bridge crossing the Silver River.

The development is earmarked for 87.96Ha./217.37 acres of lands comprising 18 agricultural fields on two separate land parcels.

The solar farm will consist of a series of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on steel support structures to a height not greater than 3m.

Ancillary to the siting of the solar PV panels will be 19. transformers; pole-mounted CCTV cameras; underground cabling; deer fenceline measuring 2m high; a proposed 5m wide graded track between an existing site entrance and BESS; internal access tracks; widening of two existing field entrances and all associated development.

Two temporary compounds, measuring approximately 5250sqm in overall area, will be established during the construction phase of the solar farm.

The planning permission will have a duration of 10-years, with a subsequent operational lifetime of 40-years, after which it will be decommissioned with all associated lands returned to their original use excluding the Silver River bridge crossing, which will be retained.

The application is in the pre-validation stage.