About Coleraine Solar Farm
What is Coleraine Solar Farm?
Coleraine Solar farm is a proposed new solar farm just west of Coleraine town, that would provide enough clean, secure energy to power approximately 36,000 homes. It is ideally located, being in very close proximity to a substation, where it is intended to connect to supply renewable electricity to the national grid.
Coleraine Solar farm would have a fixed lifespan of approximately 40 years and could be built and operated with limited impact on the land beneath it. Once the panels are removed, the land could be returned to agricultural use.
About Coleraine Solar Farm
The Proposed development covers approximately 102 hectares with the potential to produce around 70MW. However, it should be noted that the overall ground disturbance footprint will be less than 5% of this area allowing for the other 95% to be used for low intensity agricultural purposes and renewable energy production.
The panels will have a non-reflective surface, which will increase the proportion of solar radiation absorbed, removing the risk of unwanted reflection and glare. The solar panels will be fixed tilt, bi-facial, ground mounted arrays. They are not anticipated to exceed 3m in height and will be affixed to a frame which is pile driven into the ground to a maximum depth of 1-2 metres.
Where is Coleraine Solar Farm?
The proposed site is on lands south of Windyhill Road, north of Farrenlester Road, west of Cranmore Park, Fernhill Crescent, Lismurphy Avenue, Greenmount Crescent, Greenmount Road, Broomhill Park, Wheatfield Avenue, south of Churchland Lane, and east of Ballinteer Road. An underground grid connection is proposed to cross under Dunhill Road and run south along Bushtown Road.
Why Here?
1
The site lies within close proximity to a viable grid connection point
2
The site lies outside of any statutory designated environmental, archaeological or landscape designations
3
It has good solar irradiation levels
4
The site is located strategically that when mitigation planting is implemented the solar farm will have minimal visual impacts on the surrounding dwellings
5
With the proposed Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) the site will be significantly enhanced for ecology with the inclusion of a biodiversity area, hibernacula, log piles, wildflower meadows and bird and bat boxes
6
The site will be able to continue in agricultural use, such as lower intensity sheep grazing while also producing clean green renewable energy.
What are the Benefits of this project?
The Proposed Solar Farm will help Northern Ireland to achieve its government policy objectives and targets on tackling climate change and achieving Net Zero by 2050
Long-term environmental benefits in the form of improved biodiversity and landscape value thanks to additional planting and infilling of hedgerows at the construction phase and the ecological enhancement measures and the ongoing sensitive site management for the duration of the Proposed Development’s lifespan which is expected to be 40 years
Local economic benefits both in terms of its construction and operation, generating jobs for installation, maintenance and its eventual decommissioning and restoration of site back to greenfield status.
Helping to improve energy security within Northern Ireland