2.99 MW solar farm proposed at Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Co. Limerick

In context

It is one of 21 solar farm applications Limerick 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 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 Limerick County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

the installation of a ground mounted solar photovoltaic plant with an approximate capacity of 2.99 MWp and a grid connection capacity of 2.6 MWac within a 3.77 hectare site, including the installation and the cable route to the point of connection at Raheen Business Park, Raheen, Limerick. The proposed development will include approximately 5,800 photo-voltaic modules, covering an approximate area of 18,018.70 square metres, installed on a fixed East West mounting structure with an approximate height of 0.8 metres at the lower edge and 3.1 metres at the highest point. The development will also comprise underground direct current and alternating current cabling, including a cable route located beneath the existing internal cycle path within Raheen Business Park, string combiner boxes, inverters, a prefabricated low voltage transformer cabin located within the photovoltaic installation area, earthing and grid synchronisation equipment, perimeter security fencing with wildlife access points, CCTV where required, drainage and all associated civil works. The development will also include a temporary construction compound and set down area, together with the installation of a mobile welfare unit during the construction phase. The grid connection will be made via the existing on site substation within Raheen Business Park. 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