Large-scale solar farm with battery storage and substation on 110 hectares

The Planning Application is subject to Section 34D of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and in accordance with Article 16(2) of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive 2023/2413) i.e. Completeness Check. Permission for a 10-year planning permission for development at this site at Esker, Cuilmore, Cloonrallagh, Corraree and Ballygatta, Newtown, Ardnanure, Curraghaleen, Cloonakille, Rooskagh, Bellanamullia and Monksland Co. Roscommon. This development will consist of the construction of a Solar PV development, an on-site 38kV Substation and Battery Energy Storage System, along with associated 38kV underground cable connecting the proposed Solar PV Farm and BESS to the existing Athlone ESB 110kV Substation and all associated works on a total area of ca. 116 hectares. The Solar Farm, 38kV substation and Battery Energy Storage System will be located on a site that is ca. 110ha and located within the townlands of Esker, Cuilmore, Cloonrallagh, Corraree and Ballygatta, Co. Roscommon and will consist of: I. Solar PV panels laid out in arrays across the Site of ca. 110ha on ground-mounted frames; II. 48 BESS units; III. 15 transformer units; IV. One 38kV substation building (13.7m x 7.3m); V. Unground electrical and communications cabling within private lands and minor local road; VI. Polemounted security cameras; VII. Perimeter security fencing (2m high) and security gates; VIII. Three new entrances and upgrade works of one existing entrance; IX. Two primary temporary construction compounds and three satellite temporary construction compounds; X. 16 new drainage ditch crossings and one upgraded culvert; XI. Internal access tracks between the solar arrays and the site entrances ; and, XII. All associated ancillary site development, landscaping and reinstatement works. The 38kV underground cabling will be located on a site that is ca. 6ha and will traverse the townlands of Monksland, Bellanamullia, Cloonakille, Rooskagh, Curraghaleen, Cloonrollagh, Ardnanure, Newtown and Cuilmore, Co. Roscommon and will consist of: I. Ca. 9.56km of underground 38kV cable, three power cables and one fibre communications, beneath private and public roads (L76371, L76374, L76394, L2047, L2026, L7577, L75771 and R362); II. 12 Joint Bays; III. Two HDD Crossings; IV. Associated works including road carriageway passing places; and, V. All associated ancillary works above and below ground. The operational lifespan of the development will be 40 years, and planning permission is requested for this duration. A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the planning application. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413). The planning application is 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. The proposed Solar Farm, 38kV substation and Battery Energy Storage System is within the townlands of Esker, Cuilmore, Cloonrallagh, Corraree and Ballygatta, Co. Roscommon. The proposed 38kV underground cabling will traverse the townlands of