Battery energy storage plant proposed at Cloonbaul, 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

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Mayo County Council until 17 September 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council is due to decide by 8 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

We, Cunlaghfadda Green Energy Limited, intend to apply for permission for development in the townlands of Cloonbaul, County Mayo, for a development which is a renewable energy development (a co-located energy storage development) as defined in the European Union (Planning and Development) (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2025. The application seeks a 10-year permission. The development will consist of the provision of the following: i. A battery energy storage system (BESS) compound which will consist of: a. 10 no. battery storage clusters, with each cluster consisting of 1 no. transformer and 4 no. Smartstack units; b. Concrete foundations; c. Associated hard-standing areas; d. Internal access track; e. 1 no. single storey 33kV BESS substation building; f. Auxiliary electrical equipment storage; g. All associated underground electrical and communications cabling; h. 1 no. Lightning mast with a height of approximately 18 metres; i. Lighting columns and CCTV cameras; and j. Palisade fencing and access gate; ii. 1 no. fire water retention tank and 2 no. fire water storage tanks; iii. Upgrade and widening of existing tracks and provision of new site access tracks; iv. The installation of approximately 220 metres of underground electrical and communications cabling between the proposed 33kV BESS substation building and proposed independent power producer substation control building which is the subject of a separate planning application (An Coimisiún Pleanála Case Ref. 324429); v. All associated site development works and ancillary infrastructure above and below ground including drainage, lighting, vegetation removal, and landscaping; and vi. The subsequent decommissioning of the elements listed within i(a), i(e-j), ii, iv following a thirty five year operational life from the date of full commissioning.