Irish Water seek solar permission for Keadue site

Uisce Éireann has submitted plans for a ground-mounted, photovoltaic solar panel development up to a maximum area of 910 m2 at its Keadue site outside Cavan Town.

The proposed development, plans for which were lodged with Cavan County Council just before Christmas, will be distributed over an existing grass area and two closed tanks in combination with associated ancillary works.

All works are above ground with the exception of laying cable ducts and a 300mm deep levelled surface of compacted fill to support precast concrete slabs for the mounting frames on grass areas.

A planning report, drawn up by consultancy firm Fingleton White on behalf of the utilities provider, notes that the waste water treatment plans currently consumes electricity imported from the electricity grid.

The construction associated with the proposed work is expected to take four weeks, if given the go ahead.

The project is anticipated to require a maximum of 26 truck load deliveries.

“The net effect of the project after completion will be to reduce the electrical import to the site and export excess generation to the grid. This benefits the environment as the electricity produced by the panels is carbon neutral; no carbon emissions are caused by the operation of the solar panels.”

An AA screening was conducted by Hydrec environmental consulting and a Glint and Glare assessment concluded that no glint or glare is expected.