Renewable energy developer BayWa.re has been granted planning permission for the Springmount Solar Farm, its first Irish solar project.
Permission for the 60MWp development was granted by Tipperary County Council and An Bord Pleanála. The project will be situated on 69 hectares of land around 7km west of Clonmel. Planning permission has been granted for a period of ten years, with operational life set to be 40 years, after which the solar farm will be fully decommissioned. The development also includes a loop in the substation, which will connect to the 110kV power line which runs between the towns of Cahir and Doon.
BayWa.re has said they plan to start construction on 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 consent document stipulates that the native hedgerow and tree planting proposed in the original application must be completed before the commencement of other development and must be planted “to the written satisfaction of the Planning Authority” in order to mitigate the negative impacts of the development process. Archaeological experts must also be brought onto the site in order to prevent damage to any potential artefacts of local importance.
James Redmond, Head of Development for BayWa r.e. Ireland, stated: “We welcome the decision made by Tipperary County Council and An Bord Pleanála to grant consent for Springmount Solar Farm. Delivery of this project will not only boost Ireland’s 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 a Community Benefit Fund will be launched following the completion of the solar development, which will fund local projects both within people’s homes and the wider community, adding: “As a responsible developer, it’s a priority for BayWa r.e. to translate the benefits of renewable energy projects into tangible improvements for the communities that we become part of. We look forward to working with the local community to deliver a substantial Community Benefit Fund, which will be made available annually to individuals and groups surrounding the solar farm. The Fund will be established when the solar farm enters commercial operation and will support local community groups and initiatives such as energy upgrade (retrofit) of homes, restoration work for local buildings, and sports ground refurbishments.”
Declan Cullinane, country manager at BayWa r.e. Ireland, said: “I welcome the opportunity to progress Springmount Solar Farm into the next exciting phase of its development. The project has the potential to make a significant and long-lasting impact on the local economy in County Tipperary through a contribution to annual local authority rates and opportunities for local business in the supply chain.”
