Portarlington Solar Farm and Battery Storage

Application details

Planning reference

2560611

Council

Laois County Council

Proposal description

Develop the following within Co. Laois: • Linear arrays of solar PV panels on ground mounted steel supported structures with associated cabling and ducting (including onsite control and switch gear room and underground cable grid connection to the Bracklone 110kV substation); • 2 no. proposed single storey inverter stations; • A co-located Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) park (including 16 no. containers with cells and 4 no. containers with PCS and inverters) with associated security fencing and gates; • Site Perimeter fencing; • 1 no. new site entrance with palisade double security gates; • 1 no. temporary construction compound/carpark/material storage area with associated temporary site offices, parking areas and security fencing; • 1 no. temporary and 1 no. permanent steel storage containers; • Site access tracks including passing and turning bays; • On-site pole mounted CCTV cameras; • 1 no. temporary construction stage Moby Dick type wheel wash systems; • 1 no. Concrete wash out locations (within temporary construction compound); and • All associated and ancillary works The proposed solar farm development spans a total site area measuring 60.36 ha, of which 37.66 ha is located in Co. Kildare and 22.7 ha is located in Co. Laois. Permission is sought for a period of 10 years with an operational period of 40 years. The total capacity of Solar PV on the site is estimated to be 32 MW. An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report (AASR) and Natura Impact Statement (NlS) has been prepared for this development and submitted with this planning application. The development is covered by the provisions of the (RED III) Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413 ). The planning application is subject to section 34D of the Planning and Development Act, 2000, as amended. When a notice issues in accordance with section 34D(b), the provisions of article 26A of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to 2025 shall apply.

Location / address

Kilmullen Ullard or Controversyland Clonanny Lea and Loughmansland Glebe, Portarlington, Co. Laois

Application type

PERMISSION

Received / registered

23 Sept 2025

Council status

APPLICATION FINALISED

Council decision

REFUSED

Council decision date

30 Dec 2025

Appeal lodged

29 Jan 2026

Appeal decision

Grant permission with conditions

Appeal decision date

22 Jul 2026