Local concerns around Hiskinstown solar project

Residents from the Killucan and Delvin areas have expressed frustration at a lack of engagement by a renewable energy company who have plans to build a 157 hectares solar farm.

The Hiskinstown solar project by Power Capital Renewable Energy will be located at Hiskinstown, Ballygillin, Ballynacor, Stonestown, Corbetstown, Higginstown, Sionhill, Hodgestown, Dardistown, Graffanstown, Reynella, Balrath East, Chanonstown and Clonlost, Westmeath.

The development will consist of photovoltaic solar panels on steel mounting frames, an electrical transformer stations and underground electrical and communications cabling.

The energy project also requires a containerised battery energy storage facility, the upgrade of four existing site entrances and development of one additional site entrance.

Pheasant Solar Limited, who have made the application to the local authority says the Hiskinstown solar farm will see a reduction of 50 million kgs of Ireland's CO2 emissions yearly and could power 25,000 homes per year. The planning application was submitted to Westmeath County Council in May of this year.

The proposed application is for 10-year planning permission and a 40-year operational life for the solar energy development.

Killucan resident, Trevor Hynes, is one of a number of people from the area with reservations about the scale of the project: “It's not a very built up area, but there are nice residential area around,” he told the Examiner, “There's a local soccer club where this big substation is going.”

Trevor says the area proposed for the 157 hectares solar farm has tremendous heritage: “It's and elevated site, there's a motte on it. It's a spot many locals like to visit. It has quite a nice viewing point for the area, but this is all going to be closed off when the solar farm goes in.”

He hopes local authority planners consider a number of historic sites in the area before reaching a decision: “We've nothing against solar energy, or renewable energy, I'd be all on for it, but there's places for it,” he said.

The Killucan resident maintains that neither Power Capital Renewable Energy nor Pheasant Solar Limited have engaged with locals about the proposed project: “Zero, absolute zero conversations with the community. There was a leaflet drop put out, it just looked like a generic leaflets that come in the door and gets thrown out.

“One of our neighbours brought it to our attention because we actually never received a leaflet at all,” Trevor said of the way the locals heard of the solar farm plan.

Residents of Delvin and Killucan are to make a submission on the application: “We've set up a group, we've got over a hundred signatures in regards to putting in a submission against it. There's quite a large community in the area opposed to it.

“A number of locals have emailed Power Capital to try and get more information on it, but no one has actually heard any word back, or any correspondence on what their plans are,” he outlined.

The nature of those submissions will focus on the interests of the residents: “Different people have different concerns, for some its wildlife for other heritage would be a big thing in the area. I think it will have a massive visual impact on the land. “It's also going to take a toll on the roads. They've talked about over 3,000 lorries going to be on these small rural roads,” he concluded.

The local authority planners received the application at the end of last month, and anticipate reaching a decision by July 24, 2025.

The Westmeath Examiner tried to get in contact with both Power Capital Renewable Energy and Pheasant Solar Limited, however neither replied.