Springmount Substation SID

Project Background

Springmount Solar Farm Ltd. (‘the Applicant’), are applying to An Bord Pleanála (‘the Board’) in relation to a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) application for a 110kV loop-in on-site electrical substation, grid connection, and associated infrastructure and works between the towns of Cahir to the west and Clonmel to the east, County Tipperary. The Applicant has engaged with the Board under the provisions of Section 182E of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) (‘the Act’), and the Board has determined on the 23rd of May 2023 that it is of the opinion that the Proposed Development constitutes SID (ABP-313693-22) As such, the planning application has been made directly to the Board under the SID provisions of Section 182A of the Act.

Planning permission for the consented Springmount Solar PV Farm was initially granted by Tipperary County Council (TCC) on the 12th of April 2024 (Pl. Ref. 23/172), subject to 16 no. Conditions. A third-party appeal was subsequently lodged with the Board and the Board granted permission on the 21st of August 2024 (ABP Ref. 319664-24), subject to 20 no. Conditions. The permission consists of a c. 60 Megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (solar PV) farm, including underground electrical cabling and ducting, transformers and associated infrastructure. Permission was granted for 10 years with an operational period of 40 years from the date of commissioning.

Proposed Development Summary

The Proposed Development will consist of the construction of a new permanent 110kV loop-in on-site electrical substation, grid connection, and associated infrastructure and works adjacent to the consented Springmount Solar PV Farm. The Proposed Development will directly enable the operation of the consented Springmount Solar PV Farm by facilitating its connection to the national electricity grid via underground electrical cabling that will run south from the 110kV substation to two new masts before joining the existing Cahir-Doon 110kV overhead line. Planning permission is sought for a period of 10 years.

The proposed development comprises:

  • A 110kV loop-in on-site electrical substation including 2 no. single storey control buildings with welfare facilities, and associated electrical plant and apparatus;

  • Electrical cabling connecting the new 110kV loop-in on-site electrical substation to the existing Cahir-Doon 110kV overhead line will be underground in nature before reaching 2 no. proposed new 16 metre electrical end masts;

  • Substation compound and cable maintenance track;

  • Temporary construction compound;

  • 2 no. joint bays in access track;

  • Culvert/stream crossing and watermain/service crossing;

  • Ancillary infrastructure and equipment including access gate, palisade security fencing, lighting columns; and

  • All associated equipment and ancillary site development works.

A Natura Impact Statement accompanies the Planning Application.