228 acre solar farm in Louth gets go ahead

Louth County Council has given the go ahead to an international solar company to construct a 92.3 hectare (228.08 acre) solar farm and battery energy storage system in the county.

Elgin Energy ESI Ltd applied to Louth County Council in May 2024, for planning permission for the development at Kilineer, Newtown Monasterboice, Silloge, Balgatheran and Coolfore, Co Louth.

The company sought permission construct and complete a Solar PV Energy and BESS Development (battery energy storage system) with a total site area of 92.3 hectares, to include solar PV panels ground mounted on support structures, inverters, and battery storage infrastructure (BESS units, PCS units, storage and maintenance units).

The planning application also provides for internal access tracks, underground cabling, perimeter fencing with CCTV camera and access gates, temporary construction compounds and all ancillary infrastructure, drainage, additional landscaping and habitat enhancement as required and associated site development works.

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A decision had been due on the application last July but further information on the proposed development was requested by the local planning authority. Significant further information on the development was received by Louth County Council at the beginning of March with the local authority granting planning permission on 11 March, subject to 20 planning conditions.