40-hectare solar farm proposed at Dunnstown Johnstown or, Dunshane and Harristown, Co. Kildare

In context

It is one of 23 solar farm applications Kildare County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 352 nationally. Of the 563 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Kildare County Council until 26 November 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 6 December 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

a proposed renewable energy development in the townlands of Dunnstown, Johnstown or Dunshane and Harristown Co. Kildare. The development will consist of: • Ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels with a module surface area of 150,000m2 • 5 No. Inverter/Transformer centre/RMUs and hardstands • 3 No. Weather Stations • 4 No. spare parts storage containers • Provision of new site access tracks and upgrade of existing tracks • Underground electrical ducting and cable within the solar farm site and under the L6044 local road to connect the solar farm field parcels • Undergrounding of c. 200m of overhead line • 3 No. temporary construction compounds • 2 new site entrances taken from the L6044 • All ancillary development including landscaping, an up to 2.4m high stock proof fence, CCTV and drainage infrastructure