Louth County Council grants permission for 167-hectare solar farm at Ireland, Co. Louth

In context

It is one of 4 solar farm applications Louth 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 26 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 Louth County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

The development will consist of the construction of a solar PV development and Battery Energy Storage System facility (‘BESS’) on a ca. 167ha site consisting of: Solar PV panels laid out in arrays across the Site on ground mounted frames, with string inverters attached to selected ground mounted frames; 12 No. transformer units; The battery energy storage compound consisting of 368 No. BESS modules; 1 No. transformer unit; 8 No. Power Electronic Compact Twin Skids; 1 No. Control Unit (ca. 12m2); 2m high landscaping berm and perimeter security fencing (2.4m high); Electrical and communications cabling within private lands and within the L2254, R170 and R211/R132 public roads; Pole-mounted security cameras; Perimeter security fencing (2m high) and security gates; Upgrade of 3 No. existing Site entrances; Development of 2 No. new Site entrances; 3 No. temporary construction compounds; 3 No. clear span bridges; Internal access tracks; and, All associated ancillary development, landscaping and reinstatement works. *Significant Further Information Received on 26/11/2025*