Planning Permission Ireland
Awaiting decisionEnergy

Straboe, Ballyhacket Lower and Ballycook, Co. Carlow

Proposed solar farm and 50 MW battery storage facility in County Carlow.

2660091 · Carlow County Council · Lodged 31 March 2026

Reference
2660091
Authority
Carlow County Council
Register status
Invalid or incomplete
Type
PERMISSION
Received
31 March 2026

Summary

AI-generated

This application is for a large-scale solar PV farm and a 50 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) compound. The development spans a 126.4-hectare site and includes 13 transformer stations, a site entrance, internal access tracks, and a temporary construction compound.

Energysolarbattery storagerenewable energy
Floor area
64 m²

Generated from the description above by an AI model and may contain mistakes. The council’s description is the authoritative record.

Official record

Development description

A proposed solar farm and battery energy storage system. The development that will consist of: (i) construction and operation solar pv panels on ground mounted steel supported structures with associated string inverters; (ii) construction of a 50 mw battery energy storage system (bess) compound consisting of bess units, integrated cabinets, spare parts containers, independent power producer (ipp) building (c. 64sqm) and security fencing (c. 2.6m in height); (iii) installation of 13 no. Transformer stations at various points across the site; (iv) internal underground trenching, electrical cabling and ducting between the solar pv arrays and electrical inverters/transformers; (v) provision of 1 no. New site entrance from the l6003 and provision of 2 no. Passing bays along the l6003; (vi) provision of internal access tracks and watercourse/drain crossings, perimeter fencing, pole mounted cctv cameras; (vii) 1 no. Temporary construction compound; (viii) all associated site development, landscaping, drainage arrangements and ancillary works. The proposed solar farm development spans a total site area measuring c. 126.4ha, of which c. 61.3ha, the subject of this application, is located in co. Carlow and c. 65.1ha is located in co. Kildare. A separate planning application is being lodged with kildare county council. Permission is sought for a period of 10 years with an operational period of 40 years. The total capacity of solar pv panels on the entire development, including carlow and kildare, is estimated to be c. 120mw. A natura impact statement (nis) has been prepared and was submitted as part of this application. This development is covered by the provisions of the renewable energy directive iii (directive (eu) 2023/2413) and it is important to note that the planning application may be subject to section 34d of the planning and development act 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34d(b), the provisions of article 26a of the planning and development regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply

Key dates

Timeline

  1. Application received31 March 2026

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