Wicklow County Council grants permission for battery energy storage plant at Arklow, Co. Wicklow

In context

There were 59 nationally in the past twelve months. 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 27 June 2025. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

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

amendments to the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) permitted on site, under WCC Reg. Ref.: 23/62 (an amendment to WCC Reg. Ref.: 20/1088, which was subsequently further amended under WCC Reg. Ref.: 24/ 88). The proposedamendments comprise the following: • The provision of a BESS compound with a total area of c. 1.2 ha which will accommodate self-contained batteries and integral fire suppression equipment, climate control equipment and associated electrical components (in place of the previously permitted three-storey BESS structure and adjacent ancillary structures). • A single storey BESS Switchroom located to the south of the BESS facility with a total gross floor area (GFA) of c. 191 sq.m and total height of c. 5.3m accommodating a control room, relay room, and cable basement. • Water Services Plant and Storage equipment located to the north-east of the BESS comprising a single-storey fire pump house with a total GFA of c. 39 sq.m and total height of c. 3.1m, and 2 no. fire hydrant and water storage tanks with a total height of c. 10.3m. • All associated amendments including amendments to internal access routes, landscaping and planting, boundary treatments, the provision of an acoustic barrier to the south of the BESS compound, lighting, and all associated ancillary works. The operation of the development on site will require an EPA Industrial Emissions Directive (IE) Licence