Green light for Nenagh solar farm

Tipperary Co Council has granted conditional planning permission for a large-scale solar farm on the outskirts of Nenagh.

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) Ltd has been granted 10-year planning permission to construct and complete a solar PV energy development with a total site area of 88.5 hectares. The site is located across the rural townlands of Kerane, Fawnlough and Ballynaclough, approximately 3km south of Nenagh.

The plan comprises of solar panels ground-mounted on support structures, along with inverter substations, a 38kV substation, watercourse crossings, temporary construction compounds, internal access tracks, security fencing, electrical cabling and ducting, CCTV and other ancillary infrastructure.

The development also comprises a Protected Structure ‘S694 – stone piers and cast iron gates with carriage stone’. This structure is at the entrance to the former Debsborough House and no works are required to the structure. Realignment of 35m of wall, relocation of a telegraph pole, and vegetation trimming are required to achieve the northern visibility splay.

The solar farm is to be operational for 40 years. The application did not seek approval for a grid connection, though the plan shows an indicative grid connection route running north to an existing substation at Tyone, Nenagh.

NENAGH RIVER CONCERNS

The Nenagh River runs through the centre of the development site. The council received submissions from, among others, Inland Fisheries Ireland, An Taisce and the Ormond Anglers Association. While not opposed to the principle of the development, all three called for steps to be taken to protect the river and its surrounding biodiversity.

Among the measures sought was a buffer zone of at least 15m between the fence surrounding the solar farm and the riverbank. Ormond Anglers, as agents of the ESB on the Nenagh/Ollatrim river under a long-established legal agreement, also sought maintenance of the right of unimpeded access for anglers along the riverbank.

The developer submitted a series of reports, among them a Natura Impact Statement, Ecological Appraisal, Archaeology and Architectural Heritage Impact Assessment, Flood Risk Assessment and Biodiversity Management Plan. An assessment of glint and glare from the proposed panels was also tendered.

The reports detailed a 15m buffer zone. Areas along the river were to be planted to enhance the biodiversity value of the river. A new crossing over the river was proposed.

RESTORATION PLAN

Among the planning conditions imposed by the council was the requirement of a site restoration plan, which is to be implemented 40 years on from the commissioning of the solar farm, unless permission is granted for its retention for a further period.

The council stated that the permission “shall not to be construed as any form of consent or agreement to a connection to the national grid, or to the routing or nature of any such connection”.

The UK-headquartered green energy company was required to employ an archaeologist to undertake a programme of archaeological test excavation at the site. Another condition stipulated that the bridge is to be of clear span structure, so as not to restrict flood water flow.

The council sought development contributions based on the mega watt output of the solar farm. A sum of €277,500 was required based on a 74MW capacity.

“In the event that technological advances allow for an increase / change in MW output within the confines of the permission, same shall be notified to the planning authority in advance of works commencing and the development contribution revised accordingly,” the developer was informed.

A €375,000 bond was required in order to secure road reinstatement.

Renewable Energy Systems was granted the sought 10-year timeframe to carry out the development.