Solare PV development proposed

The Solar energy proposal at Rasharkin has now reached the stage where the consultation process has commenced and a planning application is to be lodged in a matter of days.
PLENTY OF ENERGY. Mayor Cllr Bill Kenney welcomes Managing Director of Elgin Engery to Riada House along with David Meehan, Project Manager. Also included are Cllr John Finlay, Chief Executive John Dempsey and Corporate Services Officer, Liz Johnston.INBM39-14 009SC.PLENTY OF ENERGY. Mayor Cllr Bill Kenney welcomes Managing Director of Elgin Engery to Riada House along with David Meehan, Project Manager. Also included are Cllr John Finlay, Chief Executive John Dempsey and Corporate Services Officer, Liz Johnston.INBM39-14 009SC.
PLENTY OF ENERGY. Mayor Cllr Bill Kenney welcomes Managing Director of Elgin Engery to Riada House along with David Meehan, Project Manager. Also included are Cllr John Finlay, Chief Executive John Dempsey and Corporate Services Officer, Liz Johnston.INBM39-14 009SC.

Managing Director, Ronan Kilduff and David Meehan from Elgin Energy attended Council’s Development Committee last Wednesday evening to present an outline of a proposed solar PV which has been developed on a farm located to the west of the village of Rasharkin and to hear members views.

The Rasharkin project is for an 18MWp development. It will be one of the largest projects under consideration in Northern Ireland and when completed will represent an overall investment of over £20,000,000.

Elgin MD Ronan Kilduff outlining the project to councillors explained the economic, environmental and social advantages of Solar PV development, a photovoltaic energy where sunlight is converted into electricity.

The overall cost of the project is £20M. The installation will have a life expectancy of about 30 years. Existing hedgerows will be retained and during its lifetime the site can continue to be used for sheep grazing, returning to agricultural use upon decommissioning of the project.

Speaking at the meeting Mayor Bill Kennedy said: “I welcome this significant investment in our area, the spin off benefits, the farm diversification opportunity and the community benefit fund which the company is committed to establishing.

“I hope it will be positively received by the local community and planners.”

Elgin Energy has developed a large pipeline of projects across England, Wales Scotland and has been working in Northern Ireland since 2011.