Project Overview
Energia Renewables plan to construct a new 110 kV transmission substation in the townland of Paddock, Kilbride Road, County Meath. The proposed Paddock substation will facilitate the connection of three nearby Energia solar developments to the local electricity network.
This will help Ireland to reach its 80% renewable electricity target by 2030, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and increasing security of energy supply.
You can find out more about our Paddock, Darthogue and Ballybin solar PV installation projects here.
Map of substation and three solar developments
Map of substation location
About the Site
The proposed substation site is located within an agricultural field and was identified based on a number of key considerations:
- The site is in a good location for connection to the existing national grid infrastructure.
- The site does not include any environmental designations, including Natural Heritage Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, Candidate Special Areas of Conservation or Special Protection Area.
- The site is accessible and close to main transport routes for the delivery of large components.
- The site has been subject to a comprehensive landscape and visual impact study to assess potential impacts on the landscape and sensitive receptors.
What will the substation look like?
Photomontages taken from various vantage points will be included within the final planning application to help visualise what the Paddock 110 kV substation will look like from different angles and locations around the site, which is well screened by trees and hedgerows.
These photomontages set the proposed substation design against the existing landscape and infrastructure and are best viewed on a large screen.
The Photomontages can be viewed here >
Planning Process
The proposed Paddock 110 kV substation has been designated a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID). This means that the planning application must be submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála (ABP). Meath County Council will submit a report to ABP as a statutory consultee.
Planning application documents will be available to view at the following locations:
- Meath County Council offices
- ABP Offices
- ABP Online Planning Portal
All planning documentation will also be uploaded to this website.
What happens next?
- A planning application for the proposed Paddock 110 kV substation is due to be submitted to An Board Pleanála in the coming months.
- All planning documentation will be made available on this website.
- Construction of the substation will take approximately 18 months, starting with the initial site preparation for access, followed by construction of the substation compound and installation of associated electrical equipment.
- A traffic management plan will set out how we will manage construction traffic during construction.
Our community engagement team will liaise with local residents and businesses to minimise disruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Proximity to properties, health and safety, security and construction traffic: we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions which you can find on page 10 of the brochure here.
Community Benefit Fund
We want local people to see and feel the benefit of renewable energy through our community benefit funds, which support community groups, voluntary organisations, schools and environmental projects situated near our renewable energy developments.
Our solar community benefit funds will be designed to meet the needs of the local area and will be administered by an independent charitable foundation on behalf of Energia. They will operate in accordance with industry best practice and grants will be made available one year after the start of commercial operation.
School Sensory Garden Project
Contact Details
If you have any questions about our solar developments or other renewable energy projects, please contact our Community Liaison Officers by email at clo@energia.ie, or phone +353 (0)87 9944952.
Paddock 110 kV Substation Location