East Laois Solar Farm Ltd have applied to Laois County Council for planning permission to expand their operations in the Stradbally area.
Included in the application is a proposal to connect the development to the Coolnabacky substation.
The main proposal is for the replacement of the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) 110kV substation with an Air Insulation Switchgear (AIS) 110kV substation.
This new AIS substation is to comprise of a single-storey control building within a palisade-fenced compound and all associated electrical infrastructure and apparatus, and realignment of permitted solar arrays.
The project is for a site previously awarded planning permission for a solar farm to Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd.
The development will include:
– Construction of a new vehicular entrance and access track connecting to permitted internal vehicular tracks;
– Construction of an underground cable to provide a tail fed connection to the permitted Coolnabacky substation;
– All ancillary site development works, including lighting, drainage, temporary construction compound and on-site parking.
A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.
East Laois Solar Farm Ltd is a subsidiaries of Statkraft, Europe’s largest renewable energy producer.
Statkraft Ireland develops, builds, owns and operates renewable energy projects here in Ireland since entering the market in 2018.
It specialises in a range of technologies such as onshore wind, solar, offshore wind, battery storage, grid services, and trading power with third parties.
The company say they see Ireland as “one of the selected growth markets for wind and solar power… given the country’s significant renewable energy resources, particularly in terms of wind energy.”
Speaking to LaoisToday about the project, a spokesman from Statkraft Ireland said: “We acquired the permitted solar project from Lightsource Renewable Energy in 2020.
“Statkraft works with local communities to deliver renewable energy projects that ensure that Ireland’s homes and businesses can be powered by clean, green energy.”
Solar Panels for J17 National Enterprise Park
Alpha Drives Ltd, an automation solutions provider, have also applied to Laois County Council for planning permission at their site in the Junction 17 National Enterprise Park at Togher, Portlaoise.
The application is to extend the existing light industrial building; change the site boundaries; and the installation of approximately 400 square-metres of solar photovoltaic panels.
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