Elgin Energy Services Ltd has retained approval for a 4.2MW solar farm which will be built in County Cavan.

The developer secured permission from Cavan County Council and An Bord Pleanála for renewed planning approval for a solar farm on a 14.7ha site at Carrickabane, Finnea in southeast County Cavan.

The developer also secured approval from An Bord Pleanála to increase the permitted operational lifespan of the proposed solar farm from 25 years to 40 years.

The proposed solar farm will be located off the R194 which connects the towns of Granard and Ballyjamesduff.

The solar panel array will consist of south facing solar modules arrayed in lines running east to west, typically mounted 0.8m off the ground and with a total height of 2.8m.

Other works will include an enclosed single storey building containing the ESB terminal station and switchgear apparatus, storage container, four single storey inverter stations, ducting and underground electrical cabling, perimeter fencing, 11 mounted CCTV cameras, and the provision of new access from R194.

The land in question will continue to be used for grazing livestock while the solar farm is in operation, and will be reinstated as agricultural land after the solar farm’s lifespan has ended.

The application before Cavan County Council was for renewed approval of a solar farm which had first been given the green light in 2016.

Cavan County Council granted renewed planning permission for the solar farm in August 2023, and this was later appealed to An Bord Pleanála.

Planning approval for the solar farm was granted by An Bord Pleanála subject to 16 conditions.

One condition of the planning approval states that a landscape plan must include planting of semi-mature native woodland along the eastern boundary of the site.

An archaeologist must also be employed to monitor all ground works to facilitate the recording, preservation, and protection of any items or features of archaeological interest which may exist on the site.