Permission granted for new solar farm in Kilkenny

Permission for a new solar farm in Kilkenny has been granted.

Kilderry Solar Farm Ltd. sought 10 year planning permission with an operational lifetime of 40 years from the date of commissioning for the development of a ground mounted solar array as well as national grid connection and all ancillary
works in the townland of Kilderry, and adjoining townlands of Scart, Ballynamona, Rathgarvan (or Clifden), Churchclara, Clarabricken, Clara Upper, Clara, Kilmagar, Feathallagh and Ballysallagh, Co. Kilkenny.

The Kilderry Solar Farm will be located on a 50-hectare site approximately one kilometre south of the village of Johnswell and five kilometres north-east of the Kilkenny city limits.

The will comprise of:

• Up to 200,000 sq.m of solar PV panels up to 2.6m in height mounted on metal frames complete with c. 370 string inverters mounted to the rear of the panels;
• Up to 16 no. Transformer Stations;
• 8kV Substation compound 
• Proposed new entrance from the Johnswell Road (L2616-9) for construction and operational access to the site;
• 2 no. temporary construction compounds for the duration of the construction phase of the project;
• Internal tracks, site landscaping and drainage works, internal site cabling, security fencing, CCTV and all associated ancillary site development works;
• National grid connection 

The expected generating capacity of the project is up to 40MWp of solar power, which is enough to supply approximately 10,000 homes annually with clean, renewable electricity.

The solar farm will also support the Irish government’s target of having 80% of the country’s electricity supply generated by renewable sources by 2030.

The development will also provide local construction opportunities for civil works during development, as well as opportunities for biodiversity net gain through hedgerow planting.

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