1-hectare solar farm proposed at Dysart, Enfield, Co. Kildare

In context

It is one of 12 solar farm applications Kildare 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 five-week window for public submissions has closed. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

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 10-year planning permission for the provision of a Battery Energy Storage System and compound on a site of c. 1.015ha to support the adjacent permitted solar farm (KCC Reg. Ref.: 161265). The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compound will accommodate self-contained Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries, within 18 no. BESS units, 4 no. twin skid units and a single skid unit. A control room (c. 27.6m2) is proposed to the east of the compound. The proposed development includes for all associated development, boundary treatments, security fencing, site access works, ducting and cabling, and all associated ancillary works. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply