Battery energy storage plant proposed at Knockraha, Co. Cork

In context

It is one of 17 battery storage applications Cork County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 62 nationally. Of the 69 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Cork County Council until 13 November 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 4 December 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

The development will consist of the Construction of an electricity storage facility comprising a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), within a total site area of up to 7ha, to include one electrical compound, electrical transformer/inverter station modules, battery storage enclosures (BSEs), power conversion systems on concrete support structures, attenuation pond, indicative 110kV buried import/export cable and indicative 110kV substation to facilitate connection to the existing 220kV Knockraha substation, upgraded access tracks, crane hardstanding, associated electrical ducting, palisade security fencing and CCTV system, landscaping works, lighting poles and all other ancillary and miscellaneous site works including site clearance. The Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application. The Natura Impact Statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the offices of the Planning Authority.