Emo Solar Action Group

04/03/2026

18/02/2026

We have just received notice that An Coimisiún Pleanála has upheld the decision by Laois County Council to grant permission for over 600acres in a 4.75km stretch of rural landscape to be destroyed by 1.8million solar panels, steel fencing, security lights, internal roads AND an electrical substation.

No environmental impact study, no groundwater impact study, no community consultation, no consideration of the multitude of submissions from individuals and national bodies, no local or national guidance, the community didn't matter - it is a free for all.

There were more suitable sites within the same parish, but no ... prime agricultural land either side of a rural road, close to a number of Heritage sites, beside the M7 motorway, directly impacting 100s of people was deemed suitable.

The destruction of rural Ireland continues, with big business profiting from the trauma of communities. We are disgusted, upset, angry and heartbroken as we will be forced to watch our community being destroyed.

Money Talks - We hope everybody involved in this decision sleep well in their beds tonight as our community worries about what our lives will be living in the middle of an industrial complex.

RTÉ News LaoisToday Laois Nationalist Leinster Express / Laois Live Emo Court and Parklands Heritage Ireland Road Safety Authority Ireland TFI - Transport for Ireland Inland Waterways Association of Ireland

29/09/2025

Laois County Council recently approved plans to destroy our rural community by allowing the installation of a 600+ acre industrial solar complex around our homes on prime agricultural land. Without national guidance the shameful destruction of rural communities throughout our country will continue.

We support sustainable enery solutions but they must be in appropriate and sustainable locations. Please sign and share the attached petition to push for long overdue guidance in this area.

Leinster Express / Laois Live LaoisToday Laois Heritage Office

Call for a National Policy Framework on the Planning on Solar Farms.

30/07/2025

The company have reverted following request for further information from the council. The detail is being reviewed by the planning department at present.

We encourage everybody to access the scanned documents (prefixed FI) and review the responses provided.

The key document is the one titled NIS & EIS.

23/05/2025

23/05/2025

22/05/2025

Laois County Council has looked for further information in relation to the planning application submitted by Orstead for construction of a 625 acre Solar power plant in Emo. This is a positive step by Laois County Council and one we were expecting given the large number of excellent submissions from both state bodies and local residents. Orstead now has up up to 6 months to provide this further information and Laois County Council will then make a decision either way after 4 weeks.

We are particularly happy with point 8 on the reply from the Country Council:
"The planning Authority notes that there are a significant number of 3rd party submissions received. The applicant is requested to submit a detailed response"
We are hopeful that this means Orstead will need to respond to all submissions and the points raised in them.

The fight is not over but unfortunately only the beginning. We believe whichever way the County Council decides either Orstead or ourselves will be going to An Bord Pleanala. We will keep this page updated with relevant information so keep an eye out.

25/04/2025

***Online Submissions Only until Sunday 27th of April***

Log onto Laois County Council website
Set up Account and Log in
Search Planning applications
Input file no: 2560148
Go to "Make a Submission Tab" and enter submission

Make your voice heard, have your say!

23/04/2025

3 days to go to get your submission into Laois County Council. Have your say and protect our community now and into the future.

This industrialisation of our beautiful community in Emo cannot be allowed to go ahead for the sole benefit of just a few. At 615 acres it is one of the biggest solar complexes to date in Ireland and the sheer scale is absolutely shocking. There has been a total lack of regard given to the people living in our community with no meaningful engagement from Orstead the company at any point. This solar industrial complex has no place in an area of high residential density and productive agricultural land.

Our children and future generations deserve to have our land preserved. Our natural environment, flora, fauna, heritage and agricultural land needs to be protected and not destroyed. This is a generational change for our community and one that will be a scar on the community if it is not stopped.

Let us stand united against this profit driven industrialisation of our community in Emo. It is time to make a stand and get all submissions in.