New solar farm could be largest in the country

Plans are in the offing for a solar farm near Rhode which could be the largest in Ireland.

Offaly County Council is expected to receive an application shortly from Highfield Solar Limited for permission to build a solar farm in Clonin, just northwest of Rhode.

Highfield Solar are seeking permission over a 10 year period to complete the development of a solar PV Energy Development that will span an area of almost 238 acres.

It is understood that during its construction, which will take up to 44 weeks if given the green light by Offaly County Council, up to 50 people will be employed to cover building, carpentry, framework assembly and installation, electrical, fencing and landscaping.

If and when the proposed development is up and running, two full-time staff will manage and maintain the facility.

According to Highfield solar ltd, the solar farm will have an “embedded electricity generator connected to the electricity network at the Derryiron substation immediately adjacent to the site.

Given the proximity of the local substation, no new pylons are required for the scheme.”

The purpose of the solar farm in Rhode is to produce clean electricity for use in Ireland and contribute to reaching renewable energy targets for the country.

“The energy generated will be fed in to the electricity network and absorbed by demand customers in the area as required,” stated a press release from Highfield solar.

Included in the application is an electrical substation building and solar panels mounted on support structures.

Farmers will benefit according to energy firm, as lands given over to the scheme will provide a long term guaranteed income source that is not linked to the price fluctuations for agricultural produce.

“A portion of this electricity will be provided by ground mounted solar energy generation.

The proximity of the Clonin North Solar Farm site to existing electricity grid infrastructure and the locations solar resource mean it is an ideal location for a development such as this,” continued the statement.

The power output of this solar farm is expected to be around 60 MW peak and produce sustainable electricity for the equivalent of approximately 13,000 homes per year.

The construction methods used are generally non-invasive as the solar panels are mounted on steel piles that are driven into the ground with no requirement for extensive earth works.

“The majority of the land remains undisturbed and can be grazed by small livestock within a matter of days of construction completion,” states Highfield Solar.

Rhode-based Cllr Liam Quinn said a solar farm of this nature would be one of the first in Ireland.

“The reason they chose Rhode is that they have direct access to the national grid and they won’t have to build any power lines.”

The developer, Highfield Solar Ltd, is a joint venture set up by renewable energy companies Highfield Energy, based in Dublin and Wexford and Aura Power, based in Bristol.

A solar farm was recently granted planning permission in Enniscorthy Co Wexford, while plans have also been revealed for a solar farm near Mullingar recently.