Local residents voice ‘widespread concern’ regarding proposed new solar farm on Laois/Kildare border

Laois residents around Portarlington and Killenard have voiced “widespread concern” regarding a proposed new solar farm in the area.

Irish renewable energy company BNRG held a public consultation in May “to hear local community views” prior to applying for planning permission on a 32MW solar farm, but a number of residents say they left with many unanswered questions.

The proposed solar farm would be on a 52-acre site between Portarlington and Monasterevin and is located nearby the ‘BNRG Bracklone’ project.

The Laois site covers 17 hectares in Kilmullen, just off the R420, with Killenard the largest residential area this side of the border.

The remaining 35 hectares is spread across “three discrete parcels of land” in Coolnafearagh, County Kildare.

BNRG say the new solar farm will provide enough power to satisfy the energy needs of approximately 6,000 households, with an estimated 9,000 tonnes of carbon emissions saved annually.

Following the public consultation, approximately 30 local residents came together to voice their concerns under the collective ‘Kilmullen and Coolnafearagh Solar Action Group.’

One Laois resident, Grainne O’Kane, told LaoisToday that the group were dissatisfied with the initial public consultation, reporting “conflicting information” given by BNRG; no certainty or definite answers given on most concerns”; and that the maps provided by the company were “too small.”

The first meeting of the Kilmullen and Coolnafearagh Solar Action Group outlined a wide variety of issues from the residents, including road safety, health matters, aesthetics and more.

In terms of road safety, the group say the Kilmullen Road is “very dangerous” with a huge amount traffic each day, including large lorries, speeding cars and a school bus route.

The group say that “extra traffic and disruption from the plant will increase the risk of accidents,” and also raised concerns that access to the site being nearby “dangerous bends on the road” as well as the possibility of “glare from the panels” effecting drivers ability to see.

The group also say the solar farm is “too close to many houses”, with the closest residential property just “30 metres” away from the site.

A lack of “national guidance on solar industrial plants in residential areas” was cited with the group saying the farm would “disrupt the aesthetics”, “spoil views” and “disrupt the natural look” of “a very beautiful place.”

The group are worried about potential noise/hum from large fans and solar panels, saying “constant noise is damaging to residents mental health, particularly damaging to Neurodivergant people.”

Safety and storage concerns were raised regarding two large batteries and large fans on the site, with some members of the group also worried that the farm would be “damaging to local businesses” and would “lower house prices.”

Ms O’Kane said the residents are “all for solar panels and solar energy, but not here,” saying the Kilmullen site is “not a favourable location.”

Ms O’Kane reiterated that the residents are in favour of solar energy, but said “it has to be done in the right way,” adding that the proposed new farm is “being pushed through very quickly.”

BNRG are expected to apply for planning permission in late July. Kilmullen and Coolnafearagh Solar Action Group are scheduled to meet again before that application where they will further examine their concerns and what may be done to counteract same.

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