The Richfield Solar Farm in County Wexford is a 21 MWp solar photovoltaic development delivered on behalf of SSE Renewables (Ireland) Ltd. The project comprises a 10‑year planning permission period followed by a 35‑year operational lifespan, integrating ground‑mounted PV arrays, inverters, transformer stations and associated grid infrastructure. Jennings O’Donovan (JOD) provided full planning services, project management, technical coordination and environmental reporting to support the application process.
The solar farm covers approximately 44.4 hectares, with 20.5 hectares dedicated to the solar array, internal access tracks, cabling routes and the substation compound. The development includes 7 inverter/transformer power stations, 3 spare‑parts storage containers, perimeter security fencing, CCTV, and drainage systems. A new site access was constructed on the northwest boundary, supported by internal ducting infrastructure linking the array to the existing Richfield Wind Farm 38 kV substation. Two containerised substations, grid compensation equipment and site lighting were also incorporated adjacent to the existing wind farm substation.
JOD coordinated all elements of the planning process, including preparation of the Planning and Environmental Report, an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Report and a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP). Additional project documentation included a Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) methodology to facilitate crossing of the Bridgetown Canal, and a Traffic Management Plan to support safe construction access. Specialist sub‑consultants were managed by JOD and contributed assessments relating to ecology, flood risk, landscape and visual impact, archaeology, and glint and glare.
The planning application was submitted to Wexford County Council in September 2023. A Further Information response was prepared and submitted in May 2024, leading to a grant of planning permission on 7 June 2024. The project reflects JOD’s experience in managing complex solar developments that integrate with existing renewable infrastructure.