Global renewables giant RES has got the green light for a 160ac solar farm near Magheralin in Co Down.

Once operational, the solar farm will be capable of meeting the electricity demands of approximately 13,600 homes every year.

The site lies outside of any statutory environmental and landscape designations, and was chosen for its good solar irradiation levels and proximity to a viable grid connection, RES said.

Opportunities are expected for local contractors and employees to get involved in the construction phase, which is expected to take around 40 weeks, it said.

Sheep farming

RES welcomed Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council's decision to approve its Magheralin Solar Farm, and said they will make sure the land can still be used for sheep farming.

Rachel Buchanan, senior development project manager for RES, said: “We have ensured the land to be used by the solar farm can continue to be used for agricultural purposes, in the form of sheep farming.”

“Sheep farming supports rural economies and enables a rich diversity of wildlife while producing food,” she continued.

“Furthermore, where a solar farm is installed on land which has been intensively farmed, it enables the ground underneath to recover, helping to ensure the continued availability of quality agricultural acreage for future generations,” she explained in a statement.

Solar farm development remains at a relatively early stage in Northern Ireland compared to the Republic, partially due to the absence of a renewable support scheme.