A Kerry TD has called for the government to introduce planning guidelines for large-scale solar farms as several new developments are planned in the north of the county.
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Climate, the Environment and Energy and Kerry TD, Pa Daly, said the lack of a framework was ‘unacceptable’ and argued the ruling parties were prioritising corporate profits over local communities.
It comes as planning application was recently submitted to both Kerry County Council and Limerick City and County Council to construct a solar farm with a total area of 245-hectares, 175 of which lies within Kerry, with another application for a 272-hectare solar farm at Moyvane also being assessed.
“Ireland urgently needs clear, robust and enforceable planning guidelines for large-scale solar developments,” said Deputy Daly.
“Despite a commitment to bring them forward as part of the programme for government, communities across Ireland are watching as solar is popping up despite no guidelines.
“Nobody disputes the need to expand renewable energy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels…but it must be done fairly, transparently and with the support of the communities expected to host these developments.”
Without national guidelines, there are very few special planning rules conditioning the development of these sites. The only solar farm-related objective in the County Development plan mandates that planning applications be accompanied with glint and glare assessments.
Comparisons have been drawn with the wind energy sector, which was not subject to national guidelines when most of them were established in Kerry.
“The ongoing absence of solar planning guidelines under this government mirrors Fianna Fáil and Fine Gaels failure to bring updated Onshore Wind Energy Guidelines for nearly 20 years,” said Deputy Daly.
“Despite repeated promises that the guidelines would be published “shortly” throughout the lifetime of this government and the previous one between 2020 and 2024, they remain nowhere to be seen.”
“At present, there is growing concern across rural Ireland that large corporations and investment funds are buying up vast tracts of agricultural land for solar farms, securing the profits for shareholders and investors while local communities are left with little say, little benefit and long-term changes to their landscape.
“Communities deserve clarity on where these developments are appropriate, developers need clear rules, and local authorities require a strong framework to assess applications consistently and fairly.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme