Planning Permission Fuels Ireland’s 80,000-Acre Solar Farm Pipeline
Amid Ireland’s renewable energy surge, securing planning permission remains pivotal as an 80,000-acre solar farm pipeline accelerates nationwide development.
Ireland is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in solar farm projects, with approximately 80,000 acres currently progressing through planning permission and development stages. This extensive pipeline reflects a strategic national shift towards renewable energy, aiming to meet aggressive climate goals and reduce carbon emissions by 2030.
Key projects include large-scale farms such as the Gallanstown Solar Farm in County Meath, which covers 500 acres and boasts a capacity of 198 MW, Ireland’s largest to date. Multiple sites like Shanagolden in Clare and Ballymackey in Tipperary, each planned at 100 MW capacities, are also advancing rapidly. Collectively, these contribute to an anticipated 1.76 GW of solar capacity by mid-2025 and align with government-backed schemes like the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS), which incentivises utility-scale solar development.
Planning permission is critical in this growth, with An Bord Pleanála playing a central role in decision-making for these large infrastructure projects. Their rulings often address considerations such as flood-risk development and environmental impact assessments, ensuring that solar installations comply with sustainable land use and environmental regulations. Despite some concerns related to material contravention of local plans, authorities are balancing housing scheme approvals and renewable projects in tandem to meet Ireland’s energy and housing demands.
The surge in solar projects has profound implications beyond energy production. Many farms transitioning to solar diversify rural economies, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and improve local energy security. Companies like Bord Gáis Energy and ESB are leading investments, demonstrated by recent milestones such as the energisation of ESB’s Bullstown solar farm, which powers over 2,000 homes and supports community benefits.
As Ireland’s solar pipeline expands, the continued collaboration between developers, planning authorities, and communities remains essential. The regulatory framework around planning permission, especially An Bord Pleanála decisions, ensures these projects generate maximum environmental benefit with minimal adverse impact, supporting a sustainable energy future.
Originally reported in on Thu, 23 Oct 2025 08:56:38 +0000. Full story
