Enforcement notice creates uncertainty for planned Belleville Solar Farm in Galway

Power Capital Renewable Energy is clarifying plans for a major Galway solar farm after lands in the project area faced council planning enforcement action.

The developer is preparing a planning application for the Belleville Solar Farm, proposed for Abbeyknockmoy and Monivea. The project could cover up to 258.1 hectares of solar panels and battery energy storage systems, which would make it one of Ireland's largest solar developments.

However, a portion of the project area at Oakwood South is currently subject to an active enforcement notice from Galway County Council. The council’s enforcement case concerns alleged unauthorised activities, including land clearance, pathway construction, and rock-crushing.

Power Capital Renewable Energy has stated that it did not carry out any unauthorised works on the site. Correspondence reveals the company contacted Galway County Council on 29 June to clarify which specific portions of the Oakwood South lands are affected by the council's enforcement action.

The developer has indicated that any lands covered by the active enforcement notice will be removed from the final project boundary, though questions remain over how the planning application will address the adjacent lands.