Plans for one of the first large-scale solar farms in Donegal have been submitted to Donegal County Council.
Donegal-based company Irish Premium Solar Ltd has applied for 10-year planning permission to develop a solar farm in the townlands of Tullydonnell Upper and Convoy Townparks, near Convoy, east Donegal.
The proposed development will occupy a 34ac site and will consist of ground-mounted solar panels installed on fixed frames across two adjacent plots.
The development also includes associated cabling and ducting, a 20kV electrical control building, site entrances and access tracks, transformers and inverters, perimeter fencing up to 2.5 metres in height, pole-mounted CCTV cameras up to 3m high, an underground electrical cable linking the two solar farm plots, a temporary contractor’s compound and storage area and all associated site development and ancillary works.
Grid connection
A proposed underground grid connection cable, approximately 607m in length, will be installed along the L5754 and L1074 local roads, running from the on-site electrical control building to the existing Convoy ESB substation.
The solar farm is designed to have an operational lifespan of 40 years from the date of commissioning.
The application involves a single landowner and the developers state that, if planning permission is granted, the solar farm is expected to become operational between Q3 and Q4 of 2027. The land is currently used for agricultural purposes, including silage production and livestock grazing.
Why Convoy?
The developers state that the site was selected primarily due to its proximity to the Convoy substation, which provides a viable and efficient grid connection opportunity.
Discussions with local landowners regarding land availability also made the development possible at this location.
They add that the land was carefully chosen to avoid environmentally sensitive areas and land classified as being of high agricultural quality, ensuring minimal environmental and agricultural impact.
SHARING OPTIONS