Battery energy storage plant proposed at Kellistown East, Co. Carlow

In context

It is one of 2 battery storage applications Carlow County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 60 nationally. Of the 69 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

The five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council is due to decide by 12 November 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Carlow County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

a 10-year permission for the development. The development will consist of the construction of BESS, tail-fed 220kV step-up transformer and all associated ancillary development on ca.6.5 hectare (‘ha’) site consisting of: (i) 210 BESS units each containing six power conversion system units; (ii) 30 static smart transformer stations units; (iii) 60 distribution transformers units; (iv) one auxiliary services building; (v) one office building; (vi) one control building; (vii) one storage building; (viii) one tail-fed 220 kV step-up transformer; (ix) one auxiliary transformer; (x) one Independent Power Producer (‘IPP’) building with two switchgear rooms and auxiliary systems; (xi) one underground firewater retention holding tank (ca.350m³ capacity); (xii) one firewater tank (ca.250m³ capacity); (xiii) one infiltration basin (ca.1,689m³ capacity); (xiv) upgrade works to the existing Site entrance; (xv) internal access tracks between the BESS units, IPP Building and Site entrance; (xvi) underground electrical and communications cabling within private lands; (xvii) one temporary construction compound; (xviii) landscaped berms of up to ca.3m in height; (xix) perimeter security fencing of up to 2.4m in height and security gates; (xx) pole-mounted security cameras; and (xxi) all associated ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works. A 40-year operational life from the date of full commissioning of the entire BESS project is being sought for the proposed development (other than temporary works specified above), and the subsequent decommissioning. A Natura Impact Statement will accompany the planning application