Galway City Council grants permission for 1.5 MW solar farm at Doughiska, Galway city

In context

It is one of 5 solar farm applications Galway City Council has received in the past twelve months, against 337 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 10 December 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Galway City Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

RED III Permission for development which consists of: the construction and operation of a development consisting of an energy centre building, heat network pipeline, landscaping works, roof mounted solar PV and all other associated ancillary infrastructure at the Merlin Park Industrial Estate and Doughiska Road, within the townland of Doughiska, Galway, Co. Galway. The Galway City East Energy Centre building will integrate multiple low carbon energy technologies. The development will include the installation of 2no. Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) each with a 1.5MW capacity, 2 no. electric boilers, each with a 1.5MW capacity to handle peak loads and temperatures, and 2 no. gas boilers, each with a 1.5MW capacity for emergency back up support. The proposed energy centre building will have a building height of 6.2m, with solar PV panels mounted on the building rooftop. The adjacent building to the east (Smurfit Westrock), will have solar PV panels mounted on the building rooftop. The building to the north (Value Centre), will also have roof mounted solar panels. The proposed development will also include a heat pipeline network consisting of 2no. pipes, with a maximum diameter of 450mm each, spanning a distance of circa. 2390m in an underground trench, from the proposed energy centre building to Doughiska Road, along the length of Doughiska Road, crossing Monivea Road to the north, terminating outside the Clayton Hotel, and crossing Old Dublin Road to the south, terminating outside the Castlegar GAA Club, linking the proposed Galway City East Energy Centre building to future heat customer buildings in the area. Ancillary development will consist of security fencing, access and parking, drainage infrastructure, and landscaping works at the proposed energy centre building. Site preparation will involve foundation works, and construction of essential access facilities to support overall functionality for the purpose of generating renewable heat energy and transmitting it to future heat customer buildings within the townland of Doughiska, Galway Co. Galway (the Proposed Development). Permission is sought for a ten year construction period.