Lightsource BP Unveils New Meath Solar Farm Plans

Lightsource bp to hold community consultation event for new Meath solar farm proposal in Ireland

27 April 2018: Lightsource BP, a leading developer of solar installations in Ireland, will be outlining their proposal to fund, develop and operate a 60MW MEC solar farm on 290 acres of land, adjoining the townlands of Harristown, Clongall and Castlejordan, County Meath at a community information event on Tuesday 8th May. Lightsource BP is inviting residents from the surrounding area to attend the community information event, where further information will be made available on the project.

The community information event will be held in Ballinabrackey GAA Hall, Castlejordan, County Meath and residents are invited to drop in at any time between 2pm – 8pm to discuss, and offer feedback on, the planning proposal with members of the Lightsource BP planning team.

The proposed solar farm would generate clean and renewable energy that would power 18,672 homes, saving 31,858 tonnes of carbon emissions every year, the equivalent of taking 7,080 large family cars off Irish roads.

As well as generating clean energy, Lightsource BP solar farms are designed so that they also act as a haven for local wildlife. A bespoke Biodiversity Management Plan will be developed in conjunction with the planning application to ensure that the plan enhances the site as much as possible for local wildlife, and that native species benefit from planting, seeding and habitat creation.  Lightsource BP is also eager to hear from wildlife enthusiasts and local schools who may be interested in playing a role in the ongoing monitoring of wildlife on the site.

The proposed layout for the solar farm in Harristown has been designed in such a way that most of the open grassland on the site will be left free to be used as grazing pasture for small livestock, allowing the land to be kept in agricultural use.

The fields which are proposed to house this project have been chosen because they are well-screened by surrounding hedgerows and trees, so the surrounding area will have a limited view of the solar farm.

Lightsource BP completed Ireland’s first solar farm at Belfast International Airport in 2016 and currently has 10 solar farms in operation across Northern Ireland. Lightsource BP has a number of projects in planning in the Republic of Ireland, including another project in Meath, which is located near the village of Batterstown.

Barry Wadding, Business Development Manager, Lightsource BP Ireland said:

“Solar energy is not only clean and renewable, but it also generates locally-produced energy, which can support Ireland to meet its environmental targets and avoid expensive fines, while safeguarding Ireland’s security of energy supply.   

We want to ensure that local communities in the townlands of Harristown, Clongall and Castlejordan are informed of our plans to develop the project, and so, we look forward to meeting elected representatives, local businesses and residents at the community information event. In addition to gaining feedback from local communities, we also want to provide a forum to give residents the opportunity to ask any questions they may have about the project or solar energy in general.”

Residents can obtain further information on the project, at any time, by getting in touch with the Lightsource BP project team via info@lightsourcebp.com.