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08 Sept 2025
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08 Sept 2025
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When operational, the new solar farm will have the potential to generate 60 megawatts of electricity - enough to power around 12,000 homes.
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a large solar farm in west Waterford on lands close to the Comeragh mountains.
The project, which will be allowed to operate for 40 years once completed, will be built in phases and will encompass almost 350 acres on lands around 5km south of Carrick-on-Suir.
The decision of Waterford City and County Council, which has now been upheld, allows permission for the installation of photovoltaic panels on ground-mounted steel frames, 28 single-storey inverter stations, perimeter fencing, permeable gravel access track, 49 pole-mounted CCTV cameras, and four new access points to the site.
More than 300 objections and submissions were received during the planning process and a number of large public meetings also took place at which concerns were expressed about the scale and nature of the development.
In a detailed report, planning inspector Tomás Bradley, noted the project, known as 'Mothel Phase 2', is connected to a wider solar energy project in the area with 'Mothel Phase 1' having already received planning permission.
Commenting on some concerns that the development could impact the mental health of people living and working in the locality, Mr Bradley said: "While the proposed development will alter the landscape fabric, it does not markedly affect the prevailing landscape pattern or overriding rural landscape of the area. No specific evidence has been provided to indicate that there will be a mental health impact, nor has any qualified evidence been supplied to indicate that this is the case elsewhere."
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Mr Bradley noted there were some concerns over "burdens on the lands" in respect of hunting, shooting and fishing rights but said these did not hinder the assessment of the proposed development and that they may have to be addressed by the applicant separately to the planning process.
The planning inspector said there are no Recorded Monuments on the site and that the development of the solar farm is unlikely to "directly impact any feature of archaeological significance."
Having considered Mr Bradley's report, the various submissions and a number of expert reports, members of Board Pleanála formally approved the development, subject to compliance with 23 conditions.
When operational, the new solar farm will have the potential to generate 60 megawatts of electricity - enough to power around 12,000 homes.
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