Galway County Council grants permission for 7-hectare solar farm at Ballymoneen - Cashla, Barrettstown, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 351 nationally. Of the 572 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 8 February 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for the amendments to the 110kV electricity substation within the solar photovoltaic (“PV”) energy development approved under Register Reference 20/961 comprising 2 no. single storey control buildings, a transformer compound and busbar compound, palisade security fencing around the compound concrete post and rail fencing around the boundary of the site, 6 no. lightning masts (17.5 metres high) and 6 no. light poles (3 metres high); and the construction of grid connection infrastructure to connect the substation to the ESB Cashla 220kV substation at Cashla, Co. Galway comprising the laying of c. 6,610 metres of 110kV underground electricity cables (3 no.) and communications cable in ducts (6 no.) and associated infrastructure substantially under public roads and under an existing underground gas main by means of horizontal directional drilling; and an amendment to the operational period of the sub-station and grid connection infrastructure within the site. Gross floor space of proposed works: 521 sqm