The public are being invited to attend two information clinics to be held by appointment, at Killough Castle located between Cashel and Thurles. The property including over 247 hectares of land was recently purchased by Coolmore Stud and the new owner intends to develop a solar farm at the location. The clinics will be held on Saturday October 12th and Saturday 19th of October between 11am and 3pm. The public can register to attend the clinics by visiting the project website at killoughsolar.ie. The Community Liaison Officer is David Linnane – email [email protected] or telephone 086 255 8111.
The solar farm is to produce approximately 100 MW of energy and would be developed on part of 3 townlands – Killough, Clohogue and Graigue. Coolmore says the project is designed to further strengthen Coolmore’s environmental and sustainability initiatives and would also save 42,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually while also supporting national renewable energy targets
Coolmore is planning the project with Temporis Investment Management, specialists in the renewable energy and clean technology sectors. The site is on the west side of Killough quarry and will be well set back from the road, covering just 100 hectares, of what is a 247 hectare land holding and additional hedgerows will be planted.
Over the longer term, Killough Castle is being considered as potential complementary accommodation for the Cashel Palace Hotel. The developer is planning to participate in the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auction and to establish a Community Benefit Fund for the local community. The project is expected to support 80-100 jobs during the 18-month construction phase, with priority, where practicable, being assigned to local suppliers. Full details of the project are available on killoughsolar.ie.
In an unrelated project, a planning application is also expected to be submitted to Tipperary County Council before the end of the year for a Biomethane Plant to be constructed on the grounds of Killough Quarry. The owners, Roadstone Ltd, have indicated that it may be leasing the site to a developer but would purchase the energy produced for it’s tar plant.
