Drum solar farm project entering final preparations
The developers of a multi-million euro solar farm in Drum have signalled their intention to build a new 110 kilo voltage substation at the site, which will be necessary to connect the project into the national electricity grid at Athlone.
The project currently consists of a proposal for a circa 80 megawatt solar farm, encompassing the townlands of Taduff, Creagh, Cuilglass, Curraghaleen and Drum, as well as a battery energy storage system.
The developers, EDF Renewables, said in their original proposal that the solar farm will provide enough power for 20,000 homes.
A post on their webpage on the project says that they intend to submit planning permission for the substation in December 2024.
The timeline goes on to anticipate the granting of planning permission for the substation by Summer 2025.
The website post also indicates EDF Renewables' intention to provide information on their plans in the pre-construction period.
“Once the project is nearing construction, we will devise a comprehensive construction and traffic management plan in order to minimise any disruption to local residents.
“Subject to the outcome of this planning application, we intend to begin construction of the project in Autumn 2025, with a targeted completion date of Spring 2027.”
It added that a Construction and Environmental Management Plan would be put in place to ensure that the construction of the project takes into account environmental protection measures committed to during the planning process, as well as current best practices.
EDF Renewables said it will also provide funding for community-based initiatives located around the solar farm, similar to its solar farms elsewhere in the country..
“As part of our long-term commitment to the local area, we will establish a community benefit fund, which will see funds from the project go towards supporting positive local initiatives and activities.
Planning approval for the solar farm, the first of its kind to be proposed for the Athlone area, was originally granted in 2020, involving 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, and applied for planning permission to expand the Drum solar farm into an 80MW project across 130 hectares.
While investment in the expanded project was not quantified by EDF Renewables, it is expected to be substantial given the original proposals was estimated to be €15 million.
The development will 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.
Further details are available on the EDF Renewables website.