1.5 MW solar farm proposed at Kingsmeadow Pastimeknock, Kilbarry Ballynaneashagh, Co. Waterford

In context

It is one of 16 solar farm applications Waterford City and 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 Waterford City and County Council until 30 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 21 October 2026, unless it requests further information, which stops the clock.

How to make a submission

The development description, as lodged

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

The proposed development will consist of the construction and operation of a development consisting of an energy centre building, landscaping works, roof mounted solar PV and all other associated ancillary infrastructure within the townland of Kingsmeadow together with an associated heat pipeline network extending from the proposed energy centre building along sections of Kilbarry Road, Cork Road (R680) and Brown’s Road through the townlands of Kingsmeadow, Pastimeknock, Kilbarry and Ballynaneashagh, Waterford City, County Waterford. The Waterford Energy Centre building will integrate multiple low carbon energy technologies including the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), and gas boilers, for peak load support and emergency back up. The proposed energy centre building will have a building height of 6.2m, with solar PV panels mounted on the building rooftop. The proposed development will also include a heat pipeline network consisting of 2no. pipes, with a diameter of 450mm each, spanning a distance of approximately 1,470m in an underground trench, from the proposed energy centre building, extending onto Kilbarry Road, crossing into Cork Road (R680) travelling the length of Cork Road before terminating outside the IDA Industrial Estate on Brown’s Road, linking the proposed Waterford Energy Centre building to future heat customer buildings in the area. Ancillary development will consist of security fencing, access and parking, drainage infrastructure, and landscaping works at the proposed energy centre building. Site preparation will involve foundation works, and construction of essential access facilities to support overall functionality for the purpose of generating renewable heat energy and transmitting it to future heat customer buildings in the area (Proposed Development) within the townlands of Kingsmeadow, Pastimeknock, Kilbarry and Ballynaneashagh, Waterford City, County Waterford. A 10 year permission is sought for the construction of the proposed development. Forthe purposes of the Renewable Energy DirectiveIII(Directive(EU)2023/2413),the proposed development includes relevant solar energy development comprising approximately21.6kWofroofmountedsolar PV and the installationof3no. small scale1.5MWnon-ground, air source heat pumps. InaccordancewithArticle239of the PlanningandDevelopmentRegulations2001(as amended)