Massive Offaly solar farm moves step closer

A MASSIVE solar farm in Offaly has moved a step closer after being included in a list of Government approved projects.

The Kilcormac Solar Farm, which is being developed by Wexford-based energy company Harmony Solar, has been provisionally included in Ireland's fifth Onshore Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS).

It is the only Offaly project among 23 which have been successful in the latest RESS auction which was run by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.

The Kilcormac solar farm will see solar panels erected across about 142 hectares (350 acres) in three land parcels in the townlands of Dovehill, Gortnamuck, Curraghmore (Eglish Barony) and Freagh.

The solar farm, which is will generate a maximum of over 100MW of electricity, got the go-ahead from Offaly County Council planners in October 2023.

Subsequently an electricity substation, which will connect to an existing 110kV electricity line, got the green light from An Bord Pleanala.

Permission was granted by the council for the solar farm after some local people objected, citing concerns about glint, glare and traffic.

The largest single part of the solar farm will be the Dovehill section, 81 hectares, and it is included in the first phase of proposed development.

Most of the projects which have been approved in the latest RESS auction are solar farms which Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien said reflects that solar is continuing to be the fastest growing renewable electricity source in the country and is rapidly transforming Ireland’s energy system.

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Minister O'Brien said: “Developing our solar capacity, in tandem with onshore and offshore wind, will ensure we can generate clean electricity all year round.

“Accelerating and increasing the deployment of renewable electricity generation, especially onshore wind and solar, is fundamental to meeting our sectoral climate targets. July this year also marked a significant milestone for Ireland, as it was the first full month in which coal did not feature in our electricity fuel mix, after its use was discontinued at Moneypoint in June after 40 years.

“We are already world leaders for installed wind capacity per capita and for the integration of variable renewable electricity onto the grid. We will continue to advance our clean energy transition to secure a secure, sustainable and resilient energy future. The deployment and connection of wind and solar energy generation at pace and at scale to our electricity grid benefits households and business by shielding them from volatile fossil fuel imports using our indigenous natural energy resources.”

Along with the other 22 projects, the new round of approvals has the potential to generate 1500 GWh, enough to power 357,000 homes which the Government says will make a significant contribution to Ireland’s target of 80% of electricity demand to be met by renewable sources.