Valuable input from public consultation shapes BNRG Shessy

• Feedback, surveys and assessments have helped inform best-in-class solar proposal

• Planning application to be submitted to Galway County Council in the coming days

BNRG is very grateful to the local community for your constructive feedback and input as part of our public consultation process in relation to the proposed BNRG Shessy solar development.

While our initial plan was to assess two separate sites for a solar farm, we’ve made strong progress on the lands in Cahercarney, Shessy North, Shessy South, and Lydacan where our development team has been actively advancing plans for a solar project. Following detailed site assessments and ongoing local engagement, we are now preparing to submit a planning application for this location.

The 70MW* proposed solar farm is designed to meet Ireland’s targets of generating 80% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. BNRG Shessy would help meet these targets by providing power for the equivalent of 10,800* households and it would also save up to 16,400* tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

Your feedback, along with comprehensive surveys and assessments, has helped inform a range of proposed measures, mitigations and enhancements that will be included in our planning application to ensure a best-in-class solar project.

*estimates only

Key activities have included:

• Public Consultation: community clinic and individual landowner 1-2-1s and Q&As, community outreach by our Community Liaison Officer

• Biodiversity Assessment and Biodiversity Enhancement Management Plan to assess the local ecosystem and how this can be protected and enhanced through the project. A wide range of surveys included an assessment of the presence or absence of bat species and their roosts, including the Lesser Horseshoe Bat, which were undertaken during the optimum summer months

• Traffic and Transport Assessment to ensure that the road infrastructure can handle construction and operational traffic and that proposed entrance locations are designed to a high and safe standard

• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments to fully evaluate the visual impact of the development on the surrounding landscape to understand how the project might look and to mitigate any potential visual effects

• Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment, including walkovers and assessments of known archaeological features. These critically assess the archaeological and cultural heritage environment from existing records and embed mitigation measures to minimise potential effects. An Architectural Impact Assessment has been carried out to feed into this

• Ecology and hydrology (ground water) assessments and mapping to mitigate the potential effects on flora and fauna within the project site and surrounding areas

• Flood risk assessment in accordance with the Planning System and Flood Risk Management (PSFRM) Guidelines

• Noise and vibration surveys to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts of noise and vibration during construction and operation

• Glint and Glare Assessments to assess and mitigate any potential impact from the proposed project locally

  
  

The following is a summary of issues raised and proposed actions in response:

Feedback	Action taken
Construction and Traffic: You asked us about how traffic and access to premises will be managed during construction	It is essential that the safety and security of local roads is maintained during construction and the life cycle of BNRG Shessy. Subject to planning, the construction phase for the solar development is expected to be completed within 12-15 months. This will comprise of a quick build which will take up to 9 months, followed by low-impact commissioning works lasting 3 to 6 months. A Traffic and Transport Assessment has been conducted to assess the potential impact of the proposed development on the existing local transport network. Access to houses, farms and businesses will be maintained throughout the build. There will be minimum disruption during the build, as the solar panels are to be located on private lands and installed using tried and tested techniques. The BNRG Shessy Community Liaison Officer will be available to respond to any queries during the construction phase.
Visual amenity: You told us you wanted to protect the visual surroundings of properties and the local environment	Visual impact has been a key consideration in our project design, and we have undertaken a Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA) for this. A very low density of solar panels is being proposed. The site has been selected as it is naturally well-screened by local topography, hedgerows and buffer zones. Where hedgerows adjoin public roads, internal perimeter fencing and additional setbacks for solar panels will be provided. We plan to further enhance this screening where needed in consultation with our specialist landscape and visual consultants. This will preserve the natural quality of the local landscape and view from surrounding premises. Our Community Liaison Officer and Project Lead undertook discussions with local properties on request to assess potential individual visual impacts.
Noise impact: Questions were asked about possible sound from the solar array	BNRG Shessy has conducted detailed sound studies to ensure any potential sources are subject to mitigation measures and minimise impact on the local environment. Taking these points into consideration, a detailed noise report will be included in the planning application. The noise and vibration impact during the construction and operational phases were assessed in addition to taking account of mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate any residual impacts on the environment within the study area. The placement of the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and MV stations has been determined in accordance with best practice guidelines for noise and vibration. Locations have been selected to minimise any potential impact on neighbouring properties.
Community Benefit Fund: You asked us how community funding would be managed and distributed to the local community	We are keen to work with the community to see BNRG Shessy maximise its positive impact for local residents. Subject to planning and participation in a Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction, BNRG expects to establish a Community Benefit Fund in which locals would be invited to participate and to have your say in how the estimated €1.4 million community fund would be invested over time. Administration of the Community Benefit Fund involves several key roles, including the project developer, the community, and a designated community fund committee that oversees fund allocation. The latest guidance on this can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/publications/community-projects-and-benefit-funds-ress/ (Please note the document may be subject to change by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment) We look forward to working with the community to best harness the benefits of the Fund locally.