10 MW solar farm proposed at Ardagawna, Drum, Co. Roscommon

In context

It is one of 9 solar farm applications Roscommon County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 339 nationally. Of the 573 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 92% were granted.

What happens next

Anyone can make a submission or observation to Roscommon County Council until 22 September 2026, for a fee of €20. Only those who make a submission can later appeal the decision. The council normally decides within eight weeks of the application being lodged, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

We, Eirgen Power Limited, intend to apply for permission for development at this site at Ardagawna, Drum, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. The development will consist of a relevant solar farm development comprising: i. Installation of PV panels on ground mounted frames in rows with a max height of 3.2m. ii. An ESB electricity substation compound including single storey substation building and electrical infrastructure. iii. Up to 6 no. single inverter stations (or an alternative string inverter provision). iv. Internal underground electrical and communications cabling and ducting. v. Use of already approved farm access tracks (PD/26/60040) and provision of additional new internal access tracks vi. All ancillary site development works and landscaping, including temporary construction compound, deer-type fencing, security fencing, security gates and CCTV cameras. vii. Widening of existing west site-entrance and relocation of existing east site-entrance. viii. Construction access via L75814, post-construction ESB maintenance access via L20271. ix. The decommissioning and reinstatement of the solar farm at the end of its operational life. x. On a site area of approximately 16.3 hectares. xi. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies this submission. The solar farm will have an operational lifespan of 40 years and an estimated export capacity of approx. 10MW of electricity. Planning permission is sought for a period of 10 years for construction, with an operational life of 40 years from the date of commissioning, including the decommissioning and reinstatement of the solar farm at the end of its operational life. In accordance with Article 239 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), notice is hereby given: a) that a Natura Impact Statement will be submitted to the planning authority with the application, and b) that the Natura Impact Statement will be available for inspection or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy during office hours at the office of the planning authority. 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. The planning