Galway solar farm plans reignite calls for national planning guidelines

Plans for another large-scale solar farm in east Galway have reignited calls for national planning guidelines, with residents and elected representatives questioning how developments spanning hundreds of hectares can be assessed without a dedicated Government policy. The proposed 93-hectare Blackthorn Solar Farm in Knockdoe and Lackagh has attracted around 150 submissions from a parish of approximately 2,000 people, amid concerns over community consultation, environmental impacts and the long-term decommissioning of solar infrastructure. The application comes as a separate 141-hectare solar farm near Cregmore has secured an extension to its planning approval, adding to growing unease over the scale of solar development in rural Galway. Blackthorn Solar Farm Limited is seeking permission for a development of solar panels, 18 electrical transformer stations, a substation, and all ancillary works. Solar panels in the distance of rendering provided by solar farm applicant. Speaking to the Irish Independent, the Lackagh Knockdoe Solar Action Group, made up of residents frustrated with consultation and communication from Blackthorn shareholders BayWa AG and Energy Infrastructure Partners, said approximately 150 submissions had been made from a parish of around 2,000 people. In a submission, An Taisce, who was invited to comment on the application, said solar farms in Ireland 'are being advanced nationally without an effective national strategy for solar deployment'. The environmental organisation said it would support solar energy development but highlighted the absence of any national approach addressing land-based and rooftop solar. 1 / 2 Looking from Claregalway GAA walking trail at Knockdoebeg West onto solar panel rendering 2 / 2 The applicant suggests a hedge barrier along the pathway. Its submission also raised concerns over the protection of bat and bird species in relation to the Blackthorn planning application. More than five Galway councillors and Galway TDs have also made submissions opposing the development. Read more Protestors in Galway urge review of solar farm plans after fears area could become 'Chernobyl of Ireland' Galway County councillor Geraldine Donohue said it was 'unfair' for Galway County Council's planning department to consider such a large development without proper guidelines. 'It is vital that Government give an indication on the guidelines, as [legislation] can take time, but it is crazy to think the planning of such a development is being considered without any guidelines for Galway County Council to follow,' she added. Cllr Donohue also raised concerns over the absence of decommissioning protocol for solar farms, with many of the developments approved to date expected to reach end of life after 40 years working. Furthermore, Galway county councillor James Charity asked that further attention be given to 'decommissioning arrangements including the financial and practical measures.' 'A general undertaking to decommission the development at some future date would not, in my view, be an adequate substitute for enforceable arrangements capable of securing that outcome.' While Cllr Charity aligns with the need for renewable energy he said it is a tender line to tow between its necessity and imminent delivery. 'It seems to me that there is an important distinction between accepting the necessity for renewable energy generation and accepting that any particular development is appropriate for the location in which it is proposed.' Some large-scale solar farm developments based on approval. © Lackagh Knockdoe Solar Action Group Galway East TDs Louis O'Hara and Albert Dolan both highlighted what they described as a lack of 'real or meaningful' consultation with the local community, as well as concerns over the impact of the solar farm once operational. 'I recognise the important role that renewable energy will play in helping Ireland meet its climate targets,' Deputy Albert Dolan said. 'I believe significant concerns remain regarding the scale of this proposal, its cumulative impact within the wider area, its potential effects on residential amenity and landscape character, and the adequacy of public engagement.' At present, there are no specific national planning guidelines governing solar energy development, particularly large-scale projects. Responding to parliamentary questions in early October about when such policy would be published, Local Government Minister James Browne said guidelines were being developed jointly by his department and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. Read more No solar farm guidelines yet, but planning system 'fit for purpose,' says Minister This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement for solar energy development. 'In the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy,' Minister Browne said. The Minister added that he was 'satisfied' the 'existing and evolving planning system… which provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner'. The same wording was used in November 2025 when then Local Government Minister John Cummins promised his department would prepare a new 'National Planning Statement on Solar Energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024.' In the absence of national policy, guidance has been published by individual organisations. Research from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), dating back to 2016, informed planning work by Fehily Timoney and the Irish Solar Energy Association, which developed a 'best practices' publication in 2023. Until national policy is introduced, Galway County Council will consider the Blackthorn Solar Farm application under the existing planning legislation and available guidance. A decision on the development is due on November 11. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting scheme.