BNRG TO SEEK PLANNING FOR 122MW SOLAR FARM IN NORTH KERRY

Public Consultation and Information Programme commences

Solar Farm would generate sufficient renewable energy to power almost 22,000 homes and support a €2.9m community fund

Irish owned BNRG, a pioneer in clean renewable energy, today announces its intention to seek planning permission for a 122MW solar farm in North Kerry for its BNRG Laccamore PV [BNRG Laccamore] project. The project would generate sufficient clean green energy to power almost 22,000 homes, contributing positively to Ireland’s green energy transition.

The proposed 154 hectares solar farm is located in a rural location between Tralee to the south and Lixnaw to the north, and between Abbeydorney to the west and the N69 to the east. It comprises four parcels of land ranging in size from 17 to 58 hectares and straddling the townlands of Parkmore, Tullacrimeen, Fahavane, Knockagun, Lacka More, Knocknacasaka and Knockbrack West, within the parishes of Kilflynn, Kiltomy and O'Dorney.

Actual ground cover by the solar panels would equate to less than one-third of the land being used and facilitate farm use as grazing for sheep.

BNRG Laccamore is today announcing the commencement of a Public Consultation and Information Programme that will take place over the coming months. Its objective is to inform the local community about the project and to obtain feedback to ensure a best-in-class project.

A public information and consultation clinic will take place in Saint Columba’s Community Centre in Kilflynn on Wednesday, 6th August 2025, from 4.00 pm – 7.30 pm. This clinic will provide an opportunity to meet experts from BNRG and specialist engineering, environmental and planning consultants Fehily Timoney. A website with project information is also available at www.bnrglaccamore.com, alongside contact details for the project’s dedicated Community Liaison Officer.

The land parcels identified by BNRG benefit from substantial hedgerows, have very few residences nearby and are strategically located near the national grid. To further support their suitability for solar, it is planned to retain existing hedgerows, to add new fencing and planting, and utilise buffers and set back from public roads to considerably mitigate any visual impacts. Comprehensive archaeological and traffic assessments are currently underway.

Extensive traffic mitigation measures will be in place during the quick build which will take up to 9 months, followed by low impact commissioning works lasting 3 to 6 months. Access to houses, farms and businesses will be maintained throughout the build.

A proposed substation, to connect the solar farm to the national grid and an associated Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) unit, would be the subject of a separate application to An Coimisiún Pleanála - which is the appropriate planning authority for what is deemed strategic infrastructure.

Connection to the national grid would be via a loop-in connection to the existing 110kV EirGrid transmission line, which runs between Tralee and Drombeg and passes over the site.

The solar farm is expected to displace almost 33,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually – relative to electricity generated from fossil fuels. The project promoters are placing significant focus on environmental matters to promote biodiversity, enhance hedgerows for screening and to protect watercourses, soils and geology. On completion, the solar farm will remain suitable for ongoing agricultural use, primarily as grazing land for sheep.

Subject to planning and participation in a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction, BNRG would expect to establish a Community Benefit Fund in which locals would be invited to participate and to have their say in how the estimated €2.9 million community fund would be invested over time. This equates to over €190,000 annually over a 15-year period.

Following a comprehensive public consultation and information programme and completion of a wide range of independent environmental and engineering assessments and reports, BNRG would expect to apply to Kerry County Council for planning permission for BNRG Laccamore in September 2025. 

Subject to planning and procurement, construction on BNRG Laccamore is likely to take place from 2028 with scope for the project to be operational in 2029. Local suppliers will be encouraged to tender. Minimum disruption is anticipated as solar arrays would be located on private lands and installed using tried and tested techniques and using underground cabling to connect the sites with the proposed substation.

At the end of the lifecycle of BNRG Laccamore the solar panels and their supports will be dismantled and recycled.