Kildare County Council refuses permission for 35 MW solar farm at Kilglass, Co. Kildare

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Kildare 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 16 January 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

for a period of 10 years to construct and complete a solar PV energy development with a total site area of 45.9 hectares, comprising of the construction of PV panels mounted on metal frames, transformer stations, GRP unit, internal access tracks, perimeter fencing with CCTV cameras and access gates, electrical cabling and ducting, temporary construction compound, landscaping and all ancillary infrastructure and associated works. The solar farm would be operational for 35 years. The export capacity to grid is estimated to be c. 35MW MEC. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared in respect of this application