Solar farm on the Limerick-Kerry border progresses
The solar farm project has 75% of its on site located in Kerry, with the remaining 25% in Limerick
IRISH-owned solar development company Circal has announced that its 108 megawatt (MW) solar farm project located on the Kerry-Limerick border has formally entered the planning process.
This comes after the project passed a completeness check from Kerry and Limerick City and County Councils.
Under new, European-wide renewable energy guidelines, all renewable energy projects must pass a “completeness check” before entering the planning process.
The Tarmon Solar Farm project, if approved and developed, intends to supply up to 108MW of renewable energy to the grid or the equivalent electricity to power almost 35,000 households each year.
The public observation period has now closed, and the views submitted will be considered by the local planning authorities as part of their decision-making process.
The solar farm project proposed for the south-east of Tarbert has 75% of its on site located in Kerry, with the remaining 25% across the border in Limerick.
A spokesperson for Circal said: “Tarmon Solar Farm will bring benefits to the local community through a Community Benefit Fund worth approximately €170,000 per year annually; local biodiversity enhancement measures; and contributing to Ireland’s security and reliability of energy.”
The project team has prepared the application following technical assessment and engagement undertaken during the project’s development.
Full details of the proposal, including the submitted planning documents and the relevant public participation deadlines, will be available through Kerry County Council’s and Limerick City and County Council’s planning system.
Bill Sadlier, chief executive of Circal, said: “Passing the completeness check is an important procedural milestone for Tarmon Solar Farm. It means the application can now move into the formal planning process, where Kerry County Council and Limerick City and County Council will assess the proposal including the submissions made by members of the public. We look forward to continuing to engage openly with the local community throughout the planning authority’s consideration of the application and beyond.
“Once operational, Tarmon is expected to generate around 150,000 MWh of clean electricity a year — enough to power approximately 35,000 Irish homes — saving consumers an estimated €5 million annually and reducing the cost to the State of missing its 2030 renewable energy targets by up to €15 million a year.”
Further updates will be provided as the application progresses, the Circal spokesperson added.