Locals voice concerns over plan for giant solar farm in Killerig
Land-based solar power has potential but doesn’t need to go on good land, an expert told the meeting
“IRELAND does not have a land-use policy in place,” a crowd of around 60 people gathered in Walshe’s Bar, Killerig were told at a meeting organised by local engineer Fergal McGrath.
The aim of Wednesday's gathering was to give people an opportunity to outline concerns about solar projects in the area. In July, plans were lodged with the county council for a 326-acre solar farm in the locality.
According to Fergal, if this development gets the go ahead, almost 1,000 acres of local land could be used for solar energy, as permission has already been granted for 170-acre and 190-acre site developments, while a further 225-acre site is under consideration.
“That’s a lot of coverage of good land in a small community,” he said.
It’s his view that Ireland can meet solar energy targets by tapping into the potential of rooftop panels.
“Every social house in the country, every government building, every council should have solar on the roofs,” he said.
He also argued that we should look to Italy, where large-scale solar developments on farmland have been banned.
“These projects are just too big. We need to preserve our green belts, our natural heritage and biodiversity,” he said, referencing the proximity to Carlow’s historic Duckett’s Grove.
All five local area public representatives were present, as well as some from neighbouring parts of the county and Fine Gael general election candidate Catherine Callaghan, who vowed to take the concerns raised to taoiseach Simon Harris.
Questions included the potential impact on house values, the cost of decommissioning, implications for health, taxation and succession. The need for renewable energy wasn’t in dispute, and although Fergal told the meeting he respected the IFA’s position that farmers were entitled to use their land as they see fit, some in the crowd were heavily critical of the farming body.
“When are we going to start valuing farmers as guardians of the land? Land that’s breathing and has biodiversity. Not the industrialisation of the Irish countryside,” noted one person. While another said "Farmers are farming here and not getting a living wage, so why not?”.
Anthony McNulty of the Protect Moylisha Hill group said taking land out of circulation has impacts on a community.
“Farm families are the lifeblood of communities. If we can’t give sites to young people, if new people coming into an area can’t build, then we might not have people to regenerate areas,” he said.
Another local woman commented: “We’re supposed to be Ireland’s Ancient East, and what are we doing? Covering it in panels.” Fergal said Ireland needs to adopt the UK model of grading land and making certain areas ‘no-goes’.
Energy expert, Colm Byrne said that “land-based solar has potential and I’m certainly not against it, but it definitely doesn’t need to go on good land. We need a review of government policy and there is a strong case for a moratorium on developments to be put in place”.
Fergal encouraged those interested to make a submission before the 14 August. A final decision is due on 4 September.
