Substation plans outlined for major Kilcormac solar farm proposal

Harmony Solar Offaly Ltd is set to submit an application to An Bord Pleanála for a ten-year permission for a 110kV electricity substation, which is linked to its other proposal for a massive solar farm, near Kilcormac.

At time of going to press (Thursday), a decision was due from Offaly County Council on the solar farm project envisaged for three land parcels over 142 hectares in the Dovehill, Gortnamuck, Curraghmore and Freagh townlands.

It would see 834,632 square metres of solar photovoltaic panels on ground mounted steel frames with a route corridor of three hectares for underground internal cable to connect the three different parts of the solar farm development.

Now, the same company has signalled its intentions to lodge a Strategic Infrastructure Development application for the construction of what's described as a 110kV 'Loop In-Loop' substation and associated works on a 2.72 hectare site at Freagh, close to Kilcormac.

“The proposed substation and associated works are required for a proposed solar energy project, identified as Kilcormac Solar Farm,” according to the planning notice.

The substation project would comprise of Transmission System Operator (TSO) compound with electrical equipment, transformer sub-compound, a substation building, a 110kV transformer, lightning masts, telecom poles and perimeter fencing. A new entrance to the L6042 local road would be shared with the proposed solar farm.

Documents related to the substation development application can be viewed from August 1 in Offaly County Council or on the www.kilcormacsid.ie website. Submissions can be made up to September 20.

Separately, the planning application for the solar farm is seeking approval from Offaly County Council for ten years and for a 40-year operational period, and should it progress, it will be developed in two phases, according to the plans. The first element would be cover solar panels on three land parcels covering 16.07 hectares, 42. 2 hectares and to the west 14.46 hectares.

Phase two of the solar farm would consist of the remainder of solar PV arrays over a site area of 66.58 hectares.

There were four submissions during the local planning process, who highlighted several concerns in relation to the project, from possible glint and glare from the solar farm, its proximity to homes, property devaluation and the impact of construction traffic on a local road.

In April, the local authority sought further information on 16 different issues from the developer in relation to the project, and this was supplied in June allowing a decision to be made today (Thursday).