60.5-hectare solar farm proposed at County, Co. Offaly

In context

It is one of 28 solar farm applications Offaly 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 is due to decide by 25 March 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

The development description, as lodged

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

the amendment to a previously consented development (Planning Reference 2198 by Offaly County Council) comprising of; (i) removal of the 38kV substation and infrastructure within the most northern field (Field 1), (ii) internal access track reduced from c.3.4km to c. 3.2km,relocated and tweaked to include turning areas, (iii) replacement of string inverters instead of combined central inverters and MV transformers, the central MV transformers remain, and increase from 11No. to 12 No., however there will be a reduction in their associated hardstanding areas and the number of string inverters is 128, (iv) table layout updated (reduced), (v) PV angle tilt reduced from 10º and 40º to 10º and 30º, (vi) separation area between infrastructure and OHL towers increased, (vii) an additional badger sett buffer added (viii) temporary construction compound has been relocated from Field 1 to Field 4, (ix) alter Condition No. 10 to increase the boundary fencing from 1.8m-2m high to 2.4m high and reduce in the perimeter fence length, (x) CCTV number increase from 81 to 118 and their locations have been amended, (xi) adjustment of the development period from 5 years to 10 years, and (xii) alter Condition No. 11 to change the operational lifetime from 35 years to 40 years. The planning application area comprises of 60.53hectares and comprises of a Solar PV development (i.e. a relevant solar energy development as per the Renewable Energy Directive III). This planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). (RED III) This development is covered by the provision 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