Galway County Council grants permission for 56.2-hectare solar farm at Ireland, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 335 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 27 May 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 County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

to construct and complete a Solar PV Energy development with a total site area of circa 56.2 hectares across four sections of land to include, solar PV panels ground mounted on metal support structures, electrical transformer and inverter substation modules, temporary construction compounds, internal access tracks (existing, upgrading and new), site accesses, watercourse crossing infrastructure, security fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, interconnection cabling, CCTV and other ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping and habitat enhancement as required and associated site development works. The solar farm would be operational for 35 years. A Natura Impact Statement will be submitted with this application