Mayo County Council grants permission for battery energy storage plant at Killala, Co. Mayo

In context

It is one of 4 battery storage applications Mayo County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 59 nationally. Of the 72 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% 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 11 August 2026. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues. The applicant sought a 10-year permission, which sets how long they have to start the development.

The development description, as lodged

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

The Application will replace the previous consented (but unbuilt) BESS facility granted under planning ref (25/60108). The development will consist of the following elements: • BESS facility including battery containers with integrated HVAC (heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) units, transformers, inverters, underground cabling, internal access roads, lighting, CCTV and perimeter fencing; • Associated Electrical Compound consisting of a Low Voltage Operations Independent Power Producer (IPP) Compound including a single storey control and operations building, switchgear room, storage container, car parking, welfare/office facilities; • High voltage electrical yard and Eirgrid 110kV substation building; • 264 meters long 110kV single circuit underground grid connection (UGC) within SSE lands and 119 meters within the existing ESB 110kV Substation lands to facilitate the grid connection to the existing adjacent Tawnaghmore substation; • Proposed internal access tracks to BESS facility, including 4 no. new gate entrances • Reinforced concrete and retaining walls; • A temporary construction compound and associated temporary infrastructure to facilitate the development; • Associated landscaping, drainage, decommissioning of existing septic tank and ancillary works. A 10-year permission is sought in respect of the development. Certain details of the proposed development are unconfirmed in the planning application, and an opinion on unconfirmed details accompanies the application. The Tawnaghmore Power Station has an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued Industrial Emissions (IE) Licence (Reg, No. P0566-02).