Galway County Council will soon decide on plans to add a major extension to a solar array near Claregalway.
Renewable Energy Systems, or RES, currently operate a 140-hectare solar farm site at Ballymoneen. The farm opened in 2020 and was set to expand in 2022 before Galway County Council refused the 25 hectare expansion.
Council claimed the 2022 build plan would have been contrary to proper planning policy as outlined in the Galway County Development Plan 2022-2028.
But RES have now re-applied to extend further the solar array, adding 25 hectares gross to the site. The expansion plan was re-lodged with Galway County Council in November 2022 and a decision is expected on 8 March 2023 on another 24.51 hectare extension.
The plans include provisions for an electrical transformer and inverter station modules.
The solar photovoltaic panels would be ground mounted on support structures and the plans outline internal access tracks, security fencing, electrical cabling and ducting as well as CCTV and other ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping and habitat enhancements.
Gross internal floor space of the building would cover 768 square metres. The 140 hectare solar PV farm can generate enough electricity to power 6,000 homes in Ireland.
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Source : GalwayBeo
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