Green light for substation and cable for Offaly solar farms
The electricity substation will be located in Ballyteige Little and an underground cable will run along the Kilbeggan branch of the Grand Canal to the Thornsberry substation near Tullamore
THE go-ahead has been given from planners for a substation and underground cable linking two proposed solar farms in north Offaly with the Thornsberry substation near Tullamore.
An Coimisiun Pleanala gave the green light for the proposal from Ballyteige Solar Limited for the new 110kV substation at Ballyteige Little.
The commission previously decided that the development would be strategic infrastructure, meaning it bypassed the planners at Offaly County Council.
The 110Kv Colehill substation is proposed in the same location, and in lieu of, a 38kV substation which had previously been given consent.
The entire site extends to 11.2 ha in the townlands of Ballyteige Little, Wood of O, Corndarragh, Derrynagall/Ballydaly, Ardan and Puttaghaun.
The proposed substation will be about 5.8km northeast of Tullamore, 300 metres southwest of the Kilbeggan branch of the Grand Canal and about 1.75km north of the canal's main line.
In all, there will be 7.5km of underground cable on both private land and local roads with much of the route along the canal branch line roadway bringing it close to two protected structures, Tongs bridge and Wood of O bridge.
The Coimisiun Pleanala inspector said in his report that there are about 120 houses and numerous farmyards along the route.
Ballyteige Solar Farm and Derrygrogan Solar Farm will be connected to the grid by the substation and cable.
The developer said the work will involve the removal of 67 metres of hedging at the substation construction compound but a condition of the permission is that the hedging is reinstated.
One resident had concerns about a number of issues, including electromagnetic fields and noise but the developer said an acoustic impact assessment demonstrated the absence of significant noise impacts and electromagnetic fields will be at levels at which no risk has been identified.
Offaly County Council told the planning commission no matters arose which would warrant a refusal of planning permission.
Ballyteige Solar Ltd is owned by L&G NTR Clean Power (Europe) and the company says the solar farms will provide enough power for about 22,000 homes.
L&G NTR Clean Power (Europe) acquired the 115MWp (megawatt peak) Ballyteige project from UK company RES in January, 2025.
Consent for the substation and cable applications was given by landowners in Ballyteige Little and Wood of O.
Waterways Ireland has said it supports a wayleave application for three 33kV circuits across the dry canal and road widening on the Wood of O road.