The lifespan of a south Clare renewable energy development has been extended by more than a decade.
Clare County Council has given its permission to a Meath-based firm to retain its solar farm on the outskirts of Shannon for 12 years longer than initially agreed.
GP Joule Ireland Limited’s plans for a 63,000 square-metre facility in the townlands of Clonloghan and Caherteige were originally granted approval in September of 2018.
The project, the applicant stated, would include solar panels on ground-mounted frames, a single-storey substation, four single-storey electrical inverter and transformer stations, and a battery storage module.
At the time, the agreed operational life of the solar farm was 25 years.
Last month however, the firm sought permission to extend its lifespan to 37 years, citing various aspects of the Clare County Development Plan and national policy regarding renewable energy as justification.
The local authority has now given this extension the green light subject to two conditions.
The council says the development is unlikely the “injure the amenities of the area” and has reminded the firm that the extension is subject to the same conditions as the original application approved in 2018.
