Galway County Council grants permission for 48-hectare solar farm at Tuam, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 13 solar farm applications Galway County 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 8 May 2026. 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 construction of and a 40-year operation and subsequent decommissioning of a 48.01-hectare solar farm (red line boundary) and underground cabling. The solar farm comprises of one single land parcel and is divided by existing farm access tracks and hedgerows. The proposed Solar Farm will consist of a series of ground mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, mounted on steel support structures, together with electrical transformers, transformer maintenance bays, a temporary construction compound, the use of existing farm access tracks, existing site entrance, inverters, CCTV poles and cameras, deer type security/boundary fencing, landscaping and biodiversity measures and all associated ancillary development works, for the purpose of generating renewable energy electricity. A Natura Impact Statement will also be submitted to the Planning Authority with this application. The development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive 2023/2413). It is important to note that the planning application is subject to section 34D. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34(b), the provisions of article 26A shall apply