Plans for new Kilkenny solar farm to be displayed to public at meeting

Ireland-based renewable energy company BayWa re will present plans for the proposed Kilderry Solar Farm at a public information event to be held next Tuesday, June 27 at the Johnswell Badminton Club. 

The event will run from 3pm to 8pm and will allow members of the local community to review the plans for the proposed solar farm development, provide their feedback and to put whatever questions they may have about the development directly to the project team.

The solar farm is being developed by Kilderry Solar Farm Limited, a subsidiary of BayWa re Ireland Limited. Globally, BayWa re has installed over 5GW of wind and solar projects. In Ireland, the company has a pipeline of over 900MW of projects in development.

The Kilderry Solar Farm is being proposed for a 50-hectare site approximately one kilometre south of the village of Johnswell and five kilometres north-east of the Kilkenny city limits. The proposed development will also include a 38kV substation and an underground cable connection to the Kilkenny 110kV substation.

The expected generating capacity of the project is up to 40MWp of solar power, which is enough to supply approximately 10,000 homes annually with clean, renewable electricity. The proposed solar farm will support the Irish government’s target of having 80% of the country’s electricity supply generated by renewable sources by 2030.

The development will also provide local construction opportunities for civil works during development, as well as opportunities for biodiversity net gain through hedgerow planting. An annual community benefit contribution fund will also be established for the local community.

Mike O’Keefe, Renewables Developer at BayWa re Ireland Limited, is encouraging members of the local community to come along to Tuesday’s event to find out more about the benefits of the proposed Kilderry Solar Farm:

“We are keen to share our plans for the solar farm development with our neighbours and to answer any questions and discuss any concerns locals may have about the project. We believe that the solar farm can bring tangible benefits to the Kilderry, Johnswell and wider Kilkenny region and we look forward to expanding on this belief at Tuesday’s event," he said.

Currently the application for planning permission for the Kilderry Solar Farm is expected to be submitted to Kilkenny County Council later this summer. The feedback gained through the ongoing public consultation process will inform the formal planning submission.

Visit baywa-re.co.uk/en/solar/kilderry-solar-farm for more information on the proposed development.