Planners have given the green light for a new community-led renewable energy project in Claremorris, Co Mayo.

The development will consist of solar photovoltaic (PV) panel arrays consisting of up to 34,352sqm (8.5ac) of panels on ground-mounted steel frames.

The permission also includes five electricity control cabins containing five inverter units, cable ducts, a hardstanding area, boundary security fence, site entrance, access track, landscaping, CCTV, and ancillary site works.

The project is being developed by the Claremorris and Western District Energy Co-Op, a community-led enterprise which has been involved with several renewable energy projects.

According to documents submitted to Mayo County Council, the solar PV facility will generate 5.4MW of renewable electricity once the site becomes fully operational.

The electricity will then be exported to the national grid.

The project will be developed on pasture land. The site was chosen for its southerly aspect, relatively flat contours, and the potential to provide a nearby connection to the national grid.

Funding has been ring fenced for community energy projects under the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme for initiatives such as this.

Community power

The Claremorris and Western District Energy Co-Op is a member of Community Power.

Community Power is Ireland’s first community-owned electricity supplier and consists of a partnership of a number of community energy groups.

Community Power's virtual power plant (cVPP) project recently took first place at the EU Sustainable Energy Awards' competition in the categories of Engagement, Innovation and Youth.

The cVPP project is helping communities across Ireland come together to form a cluster of generators i.e. a virtual power plant.

This enables Irish communities to sell power back to their citizens via Community Power.