Opposition to proposed large solar energy farm in Laois
Some of those who attended the public meeting in Emo Community Hall to discuss concerns the community had about the development of a solar energy farm in their area
ONE of the largest solar energy farms in Ireland is being planned for Laois.
A subsidiary of a global Danish-owned energy company – Ørsted Onshore Ireland Midco Ltd – is planning to develop a solar farm across a stretch of land measuring 4.75km in length and 2km wide.
Locals met recently in Emo Community Hall to discuss their concerns about the development and its impact on the community.
The public meeting was organised by the Emo Solar Action Group.
One of the organisers, David Hainsworth, said the group had invited the company to consult with locals, but said it would only speak to individuals.
A map of the planned solar farm was positioned on a wall, with Mr Hainsworth saying it would stretch for nearly 5km from near Vicartsown to Morette Castle.
The meeting was told that 13 landowners, some local, had entered into contracts with the company to locate the solar panels on their lands.
Outlining points he considered necessary when submitting objections to the planning application, Mr Hainsworth said there is a lack of government policy surrounding the installation of solar farms and that in his opinion the application breached aspects of the Laois County Development Plan.
He said that instead of locating the solar farm on boglands, why was it necessary to be located on agricultural lands across five townlands?
He also questioned the suitability of locating “an industrial complex” in a rural community.
Mr Hainsworth said should the development proceed, there would be about 1.8 million square metres of solar panels across the townlands. He also raised concerns about the construction phase of the project, which the company said could take up to 18 months, and the effect that 16,000 heavy goods vehicles and construction traffic every month would have on local roads.
He said that, at present, the road network identified by the company is incapable of facilitating two HGVs passing each other safely. This would cause major safety issues for pedestrians and cyclists and would also have an impact on school bus routes to Monasterevin, Portarlington and Portlaoise.
Mr Hainsworth also said that security fencing, lighting and CCTV cameras would surround 22.75km of the entire site.
He was also concerned about criminal elements coming into the area to steal from the site.
Others at the meeting expressed concerns about the visual effect the solar farm would have on the area and the impact on house and land prices locally, while some asked would the bedding-in of solar panels have an adverse effect on ground water and domestic wells?
The meeting heard that the development would be so large that it would be seen from the Rock of Dunamaise.
Some speakers referred to ‘inaccuracies and inconsistencies” in the company’s application, such as different specifications and lengths of the planned fencing, as well as the omission of a Flora and Fauna Impact Statement. While another said: “There was a cut and paste error. They put in a Boyne and a Blackwater River Assessment."
Deputies Seán Flaming and Willie Aird along with cllr Paschal McEvoy encouraged attendees to list their concerns and submit them to the planning authority before Sunday 27 April.
Also in attendance were cllr Vivienne Phelan and a representative of deputy Brian Stanley.
The planning application submitted by Ørsted Onshore Ireland Midco Ltd stated that it was looking to develop the site within the townlands of Morett, Killone, Cappakeel, Rossmore and Raheennahown North.
While it is looking for a ten-year planning permission, it is also seeking a 40-year operational life for the solar farm within the five locations. It said the total site area for the proposed development will cover approximately 249 hectares, including 1,796,838sq metres of solar photovoltaic panels on ground-mounted steel frames and 44 hard standings for electrical skids and storage. It is also seeking approval for underground power and communication cables and ducts running for approximately 22,753 metres and boundary security fencing of about 12,915 metres in length.
The company said that a separate planning application will be made to An Bord Pleanála as part of a Strategic Infrastructure Development, which will include a 110kV substation with electrical control building and ancillary electrical infrastructure, associated compound with palisade fence, to be located in the townland of Morett and connected to the national grid.
