Kerry County Council grants permission for 57-hectare solar farm at Ballyoughtragh South Commons, Milltown, Co. Kerry

In context

It is one of 11 solar farm applications Kerry County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 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 11 August 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 Kerry County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

REDIII: A 10 year planning permission for a solar farm, 38kV substation and underground cabling grid connection, and energy storage compound with a total area of circa 57 hectares. The proposed development will consist of a solar farm comprising of c.230,000 sq.m of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted frames, associated string inverters mounted to rear of panels and 14 no. single storey electrical transformer stations. The energy storage compound will consist of 36 no. containerised energy storage modules and associated plant and equipment, 9 no. transformers and 2 no. auxiliary transformers, 2 no. spare parts containers and 1. no. office unit. Planning permission is also sought for 1 no. 38kV substation and associated electrical compound, including single storey control building, line bay, transformer and accompanying apparatus, and associated grid connection between the proposed substation and Oughtragh 110kV substation comprising 38kV underground electricity cabling of c.3.87km in length to be provided in an excavated trench on private lands and the L11003, L8003 and L80030 public roads, and all associated site development and reinstatement works. The project will also include 33kV underground interconnector electrical cabling within the development site and within the L11003 public road, temporary construction compounds, security fencing, CCTV, access tracks, landscaping (including hedgerow removal and planting), drainage and all ancillary development works and apparatus necessary to facilitate the proposed development. Construction and operational access will be via 6 no. entrances from the L11003 and L80030, with 1 no. of these entrances used for the temporary construction phase only. The operational lifespan of the solar farm will be 40 years and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and will be submitted to the Planning Authority with the application.