Site planning risk brief

The installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) farm, including a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) consisting of 48no. units and provision of a bridge crossing the Silver River, on 87.96Ha./217.37 acres of lands comprising 18no. agricultural fields on two separate land parcels within the townlands of Lumcloon and Falsk, Gallen Co. Offaly (E: 613500; N: 720000 – centre of site). The solar farm will consist of a series solar photovoltaic (PV) panels mounted on steel support structures to a height not greater than 3.00m. Development ancillary to the siting of solar PV panels includes 19no. transformers; pole-mounted CCTV cameras; underground cabling; deer fenceline measuring 2.00m high; a proposed 5.00m wide graded track between an existing site entrance and BESS; internal access tracks; widening of 2no. existing field entrances and all associated development. Two temporary compounds, measuring 5250sqm approx. in overall area, will be established during the construction phase of the solar farm. The planning permission will have a duration of 10-years, with a subsequent operational lifetime of 40- years, after which it will be decommissioned with all associated lands returned to their original use excluding the Silver River bridge crossing, which shall be retained. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been prepared and submitted in support of this planning application.

ALTERATIONS TO DEVELOPMENT OF AN ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE 100MW OF SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE ELECTRICITY GRID AT LUMCLOON, CLOGHAN, CO. OFFALY IN LIEU OF THAT GRANTED UNDER PLANNING PERMISSION PL2/17/194. PROPOSED ALTERATIONS CONSIST OF; (I) PROVISION OF OPEN AREA BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM (BESS) COMPOUND (AREA OF 6,200 SQM) CONTAINING BATTERY AND CONTROL SYSTEM ENCLOSURES IN LIEU OF THE APPROVED SINGLE STOREY MAIN BUILDING (FLOOR AREA OF 4,536 SQM), (II) ALTERATIONS TO THE APPROVED SWITCHYARD CONTAINING THE PROPOSED 110kV SUBSTATION WHICH WILL INCLUDE (A) CONNECTION TO THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY NETWORK IN LIEU OF THAT APPROVED, (B) INCREASE IN THE SIZE OF THE CONTROL BUILDING (FLOOR AREA 375 SQM) IN LIEU OF THAT APPROVED (FLOOR AREA 200 SQM), AND (C) PROVISION OF A DIESEL GENERATOR AND TRANSFORMER ADJACENT TO THE CONTROL BUILDING, (III) INCREASE IN SIZE (630 SQM), LOCATION AND INTERNAL LAYOUT OF SWITCHGEAR BUILDING IN LIEU OF THAT APPROVED (100SQM), AND (IV) PROVISION OF 110kV TRANSFORMER IN LIEU OF MV SUBSTATION (100 SQM), AND (V) AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 33KV SUBSTATION AND SUBSTATION COMPOUND WITH ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING TRANSFORMER, AND GRID CONNECTION INTO THE PERMITTED DERRYCARNEY 110KV SUBSTATION

An extension to the existing battery energy storage system (BESS) facility (consented under Planning Ref 19/55) the proposed development includes the construction of the following: (i) Open area battery energy storage system (BESS) on lands adjoining the existing BESS facility to the east and south, containing a total of 112 modular battery containers and medium voltage power stations (MVPS). The proposed development will utilise the existing customer (IPP) building and electrical infrastructure to connect to the grid via the 110kV Derrycarney transmission substation, which adjoins the BESS facility, (ii) Access to the site is proposed through an upgraded existing entrance onto the R357 regional road, (iii) All civil engineering works, drainage, internal roads, landscaping, lighting and security fencing.

The proposed development includes the construction of the following: (i) two new independent power provider (IPP) buildings, (ii) two new electrical transformers, (iii) additional air insulated switchgear (AIS) including four new 110kV bays, (v) connection to the grid via the existing 110kV Derrycarney substation, (vi) access to the site is proposed through an upgraded existing entrance onto the R357 regional road consented under planning reference 23/60111 and through the existing Derrycarney 110kV Substation entrance, (vii) all civil engineering works, drainage, internal roads, landscaping, lighting, temporary construction compound and security fencing.

A NEW STOREY AND HALF DWELLING HOUSE, DOMESTIC GARAGE, NEW SITE ENTRANCE, SEPTIC TANK AND PERCOLATION AREA AND ALL ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS