Galway County Council grants permission for 240 MW / 240 MWh battery storage plant at Somerset, IRELAND, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 3 battery storage applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 59 nationally. Of the 72 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% 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 29 July 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

for a 10-year planning permission. The development will consist of a 240MWh Battery Energy Storage Systems facility within a total site area of up to 3.02 hectares. The development will include: 1No. 38kV Substation Compound including 1No. Single Storey electrical Substation Building with an area of 69m2 and Associated Switchgear, 12 No. Electrical Inverters, and 6 No. Electrical Transformers, 31 No. Containerised Battery Storage Modules on Concrete Plinths, Access Tracks and new Site Entrance, Associated Electrical Cabling and Ducting, Security Gates, Perimeter Security Fencing, CCTV Security Monitoring and Lighting System, Landscaping Works and all Associated Ancillary Infrastructure.