Plans underway for 300 acre solar farm in mid Louth

A company that is planning a solar farm on 300 acres of land near Castlebellingham, is to hold a community information event between 2pm and 8pm on 26th September 2023 at the Darver Community Centre, Darver.

Lightsource bp, a subsidiary of BP, and understood to be one of the largest developers of solar energy projects in the world is planning the solar development.

It will be outlining its proposal at the event to fund, develop and build a 80MWac solar installation on 300 acres of land at the townlands of Derrycammagh and Bawn, near Castlebellingham, County Louth.

Lightsource bp is inviting residents from the surrounding area to attend the community information event, where further information will be made available on the proposals.

The community information event will be held at the Darver Community Centre and residents are invited to drop in at any time between 2pm and 8pm.

The Lightsource bp team will be on hand to discuss the planning proposal and gather feedback from the local community.

The proposed solar installation will provide enough clean renewable energy to 21,100 homes, saving 32,200 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 29,900 large family cars off the roads.

Lightsource bp says that this project is a key facet of its mission to rapidly accelerate the transition to a low carbon future.
As well as generating clean energy, Lightsource bp says that its solar installations are designed so that they also act as a haven for local wildlife.

A bespoke Biodiversity Management Plan will be developed in conjunction with the planning application, and this will ensure that the plan enhances the site as much as possible for local wildlife.

As part of this initiative, Lightsource bp says that its planting, seeding and habitat creation plans will focus on native species.

The company says it is also eager to hear from wildlife enthusiasts and local schools who may be interested in playing a role in the ongoing monitoring of wildlife on the site, as part of the company’s drive to contribute positively to all the communities hosting its projects.

The proposed layout for the solar installation at Derrycammagh has been designed so that most of the open grassland on the site will be suitable for grazing small livestock, allowing the land to retain the potential for agricultural use.

Lightsource bp says it is committed to supporting the rural economy and benefitting local communities, and this site has been designed with these priorities in mind.

Wide grassy avenues will be left between the rows of solar panels, to reduce shading and optimise the amount of sunlight each row of panels receives.

This will leave around 70% of the solar installation as open grassland, suitable for grazing livestock, while the panels can provide shade, shelter and protection for sheep, geese or chickens.

The proposed fields have been chosen because they are close to the required 110kV overhead lines, and are in a flat landscape with excellent mature hedgerow screening which would limit any surrounding views of the solar installation.

Katy McGuinness, Head of Environmental Planning UK & Ireland, Lightsource bp said: “Solar energy is not only clean and renewable, but it also generates domestic electricity.

“This makes solar an important part of meeting the global rise in energy demand efficiently and more sustainably, which is a core aspect of Lightsource bp’s sustainability mission.

“We want to ensure that local communities in and around the proposed location have all the information they need about this project.

“We’re holding this information event to speak to elected representatives, local businesses and residents of the local community, and to gather feedback.

“This event is also a great way for the community to ask any questions they may have about the project or solar energy in general.”

Residents can obtain further information on the project, at any time, by getting in touch with the Lightsource bp team via ireland@lightsourcebp.com quoting ‘Derrycammagh’.