February verdict on expanded Drum solar farm proposal
Ahead of a decision in early 2022 on a major proposed extension of solar farm plans in the Drum area, An Bord Pleanála has ruled that a proposed 110kV substation from the site to connect into the existing 220/110 kV substation in Monksland can proceed as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID).
Essentially, this means that the substation element of the project which would connect the project to the grid can be lodged directly to An Bord Pleanála as part of a fast track process for infrastructure projects bypassing the local authority.
A spokesperson for the developers EDF Renewables Ireland told the Westmeath Independent this week that if it is successful with the planning application for the extension to the solar farm project, the company will then submit an application for the substation to An Bord Pleanála.
Roscommon County Council is due to announce a final decision on the expanded projct plans for the solar farm in Drum in South Roscommon, the first in the wider Athlone area, by February 5 next year.
Back in June, the developers signalled their plans to almost double the power generating capacity of the project, transforming it into an 80MW development across 130 hectares.
EDF Renewables Ireland said the expanded project would generate enough power for 20,000 homes, double the original plans.
In the summer of 2020, planning approval was granted for a €15 million solar development entitled TDC Community Solar Park on approximately 70 hectares in the townlands of Taduff, Curraghleen and Creagh.
Later that year, EDF Renewables Ireland acquired this 30MW project, along with seven other similar developments, from Wexford Solar Ltd, the original developers.
The latest application, in the name of TDC Community Solar Park Limited, proposes to extend the solar farm over an extra 60 hectares into the townlands of Taduff West, Taduff East, Creagh, Cuilglass and Thomastown.
Local Fine Gael Cllr John Naughten, in a submission, described the latest plans as a “welcome development” that will contribute to “climate change targets both at a county and national level” in the years ahead.
Cllr Naughten went on to point out, that if the project is granted approval, provision should be made for “an annual community fund” which would be distributed to benefit local community organisations.
In August, the council sought further information from the applicants to address concerns from TII, formerly the NRA, in relation to the potential location being a “traffic hazard” due to the scale of the project and as a possible distraction to drivers.
TII is also worried that the extension of the solar farm plans would “adversely affect the operation and safety of the national road network”, and to address this, the council asked, as part of the further information request, that the applicant submit a road safety audit and incorporate any recommendations in the plans.
Further information in relation to the visual impact, glint and glare, particularly on drivers of the M6 of the larger project was also sought by the council, along with assessments of the impact on the local road network and neighbouring homes.
The applicant supplied the extra data in November allowing the council to announce a final decision date of February 5 next year.
A spokesperson for EDF Renewables said the company is continuing to engage with all landowners and subject to planning, they look forward to sharing more information on the development of the project. The company would hope to begin construction in 2023.
The developers previously indicated that a “significant” number of jobs would be created during construction, and when it gets up and running. While the revised investment is not quantified, it is expected to be substantial given the original proposal is estimated to be €15 million.
The development, the first of its kind in the Athlone area, would see the installation of large numbers of solar panels which convert sunlight into electricity and would generally stand between two and a half and three metres high.