Mixed reviews from Waterford locals as reception for proposed solar farm blows hot and cold
Amarenco came to Modeligo Community Hall on March 30th.
A recent information night was held in Modeligo Community Hall about plans for a solar farm that would have the potential to power half of all homes in County Waterford.
There has been significant backlash over proposed solar farms in other parts of West Waterford and it seems that the company behind the project, Amarenco, are eager to get the locals on side.
The company say they will provide a Community Benefit Fund of €240,000 per year for 15 years. They also say that people who lease their land to the company are making a “hassle-free investment” which will ultimately leave them with better soil quality because the land will not have been farmed intensively for several decades.
Amarenco says that sustainability is one of the key benefits of solar energy. They say: “Solar farms will enhance Ireland’s energy security and help eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.”
However, residents in the surrounding area are still on the fence about the project. A local farmer from Bawnnavinnoge, whose farm will boarder the proposed solar farm, told the Waterford News & Star that he thinks the company should put the solar panels “in poorer land, rocky and hilly land.” He said that he thinks the solar panels are planned to be installed in the “finest land in the parish”.
David Phelan’s home will border the proposed solar farm and he told the Waterford News & Star that while he is “all for renewable energy”, he is eager to get more information. He said that he is apprehensive about the proposed solar farm because it's what he’ll see every time he “looks out the kitchen window".
Local Sinn Féin Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy said in a statement to the Waterford News & Star: “I’m very aware that developments like this can divide opinion, and at times people feel that planning can go in under the radar. In that regard, I have to commend Amarenco for holding a public meeting and engaging directly with the community. That level of openness is important.”
He noted that the overall mood in the room reflected a desire for more information rather than firm opposition or support at this stage.
“Reading the room, people are not necessarily for or against the project yet. What they want is clear, honest information and full transparency around what is being proposed and what it means for the area," he said. Cllr Mulcahy also highlighted the broader context of renewable energy needs.
“In an ideal world, I would prefer to see more solar panels installed on rooftops rather than agricultural land. However, the reality is that we simply do not have enough roof space to meet the level of demand that exists," he said.
A planning application for the solar farm has not yet been made at the time of publication.
