RES Secures Planning Consent for 29.9MW Solar Farm in Northern Ireland
Published · 3 min read
Renewable Energy Systems (RES), a leading UK-based renewable energy developer, has officially received planning permission for a 29.9 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) farm in County Down, Northern Ireland. The Magheralin Solar Farm will be situated approximately one kilometer south of the village of Magheralin, spanning across four separate parcels of land.
Project Approval and Location
The Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough Council granted full planning consent for the solar farm. This decision follows a recommendation by the project’s case officer and reflects growing support for clean energy development in the region.
The project was designed to balance power generation with sustainable land use. The solar panels will be installed at least 0.5 meters above the ground and tilted between 10 and 40 degrees to optimize sunlight capture throughout the year.
Construction Timeline and Local Impact
RES has not yet confirmed a start date for construction. However, the building phase is expected to last around 40 weeks. During this period, RES plans to collaborate with local contractors and suppliers to support the local economy.
Rachel Buchanan, Senior Development Project Manager at RES, expressed satisfaction with the council’s decision, stating, “Our Magheralin proposal is a well-designed project that will effectively combine clean, low-cost electricity generation with continued agricultural use and biodiversity enhancement.”
Environmental Strategy and Agricultural Use
The Magheralin Solar Farm has been approved for a 40-year operational lifespan. After this period, the site will be restored to its original condition. This approach ensures that land value is preserved and that future agricultural use remains viable.
Key environmental plans for the site include:
- Tree and hedgerow planting to enhance local biodiversity
- Continued sheep grazing to maintain rural livelihoods and support ecosystem balance
- Soil restoration by allowing recovery from intensive farming
Buchanan highlighted the importance of combining renewable energy with agriculture, noting:
“Sheep farming supports rural economies and enables a rich diversity of wildlife while producing food. Furthermore, where a solar farm is installed on land that has been intensively farmed, it enables the ground underneath to recover, helping to ensure the continued availability of quality agricultural acreage for future generations.”
RES’s Broader Vision
The Magheralin project aligns with RES’s commitment to developing renewable infrastructure that provides both environmental and community benefits. The company, which has over four decades of experience in clean energy development, continues to drive innovation in solar, wind, and storage solutions.
In June 2025, RES also progressed another major project—The Steeple Renewables Project. This proposed Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) would combine:
- Up to 400MW of solar energy generation
- 200MW of battery energy storage system (BESS)
- Located near the decommissioned West Burton Power Station
The Steeple Project has entered the pre-examination phase under the UK’s NSIP approval process. If approved, it will mark a significant milestone in the integration of renewable generation and storage at scale.
Supporting Clean Energy in Northern Ireland
With energy demands rising and the need to reduce carbon emissions growing urgent, RES’s projects in Northern Ireland are timely and impactful. Solar farms like Magheralin will help meet regional renewable energy targets while also offering job creation and economic development.
RES continues to focus on building partnerships with communities and stakeholders. The company’s track record of delivering technically sound and environmentally sensitive projects strengthens its position as a leader in renewable energy.
