East Cork locals to fight proposed 300-acre solar farm and battery storage facility

Group of homeowners, anglers, historians, archaeologists, and environmentalists fear toxic run-off from any leakages at battery facility could impact reservoir which supplies drinking water to about 10,000 people

The proposed solar farm is close to the East Cork town of Carrigtwohill.

A group has been set up to fight proposals for a massive 300-acre solar farm and battery storage facility close to the East Cork town of Carrigtwohill.

The group says its main fear is the potential for toxic run-off from any leakages on the elevated site at the battery facility that could impact the downhill Tibbotstown Reservoir, which supplies drinking water to about 10,000 people in the East Cork region.

They are also concerned about large tracts of farmland disappearing under solar panels and "destroying visual amenities". 

Brian O’Connell, spokesman for the Tibbotstown Action Group, said the reservoir and associated water treatment plant were already under pressure, and they fear any run-off from the proposed development could push the delicate ecological balance over the edge.

The group is a coalition of homeowners, anglers, historians, archaeologists, and environmentalists, who plan to oppose the plan lodged by Power Capital’s Tibbotstown Solar Farm & Battery Energy Storage System.

The objectors plan to organise local meetings and garner political support to stop the development.

“The reservoir is fed from natural springs bordering the lake, and some of the most productive of these are within the proposed development site," Mr O’Connell said.

"The reservoir is a crucial water supply for the people of East Cork. Many of the materials that will be used, particularly in the battery bank, are toxic and any run-off from a solar and battery farm during construction or when in operation poses an unacceptably high risk to the water supply, consumers' health and fish in the reservoir,” Mr O’Connell said.

He claimed parts of Carrigtwohilll could be put at increasing risk of flooding, especially exposing areas such as Woodstock, which has been hit in the past.

“The goodwill of our communities who have over the years permitted ESB and EirGrid power transmission lines to cross over and under our townlands, is now being exploited by commercial entities. We’re moving as quickly as we can to fight this threat to our locality,” Mr O’Connell said.

Power Capital has said if granted planning, it expects the facility to have a 40-year operational lifespan, and the development is necessary to provide renewable energy. It has pledged to carry out environmental works to foster local ecosystems.

The company also said it would provide necessary infrastructure improvements and set up a community benefit fund.

Mr O'Connell said his group's committee was in the process of setting up a web page to coordinate its campaign of opposition.