Renewable energy developer BayWa.re has been granted planning permission for the Springmount Solar Farm, Ireland’s first solar project.
Permission for the 60 MWp development was granted by Tipperary County Council and An Bord Pleanála. The project will be located on 69 hectares of land approximately 7km west of Clonmel. The building permit has been granted for a period of ten years, with an operational life of forty years, after which the solar park will be completely decommissioned. The development also includes a loop at the substation, which will connect to the 110 kV power line that runs between the towns of Cahir and Doon.
BayWa.re has said they plan to start construction of the Springmount Solar Farm in 2026, with a planned commissioning date of 2027. No timeline has yet been given for connection to the Irish electricity grid.
The planning permission document stipulates that the native hedge and tree planting proposed in the original application must be completed before any other developments commence and must be planted “to the written satisfaction of the Planning Authority” to mitigate the negative impacts of the development. process. Archaeological experts should also be brought to the site to avoid damage to potential artefacts of local importance.
James Redmond, head of development for BayWa re Ireland, said: “We welcome the decision by Tipperary County Council and An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for Springmount Solar Farm. The implementation of this project will not only increase Irish energy security and provide cheaper and cleaner electricity for consumers; it will also be crucial to achieving Ireland’s net-zero ambition.”
Redmond also noted that following the completion of the solar development, a Community Benefit Fund will be launched, which will finance local projects both in people’s homes and in the wider community, adding: “As a responsible developer, it is a a priority for BayWa re to translate the benefits of sustainable energy projects into tangible improvements for the communities we are part of. We look forward to working with the local community to establish a substantial community benefit fund, which will be made available annually to individuals and groups around the solar farm. The Fund will be established when the solar farm is commercially exploited and will support local community groups and initiatives such as the energy upgrade (retrofit) of homes, restoration work on local buildings and renovations of sports fields.”
Declan Cullinane, country manager at BayWa re Ireland, said: “I welcome the opportunity to take Springmount Solar Farm to the next exciting stage of its development. The project has the potential to have a significant and long-lasting impact on the local economy in County Tipperary through a contribution to local authority annual rates and opportunities for local businesses in the supply chain.”
