Noel Thomas calls for updated safety reassessment on proposed solar and battery storage development between Cregmore and Claregalway

Independent Ireland Galway West candidate Noel Thomas has called for a full, updated and independent safety reassessment before any decision is taken to extend planning timelines for the battery energy storage (BESS) element of a proposed solar development in the Cregmore–Claregalway area.

The site is located within an agricultural rural setting but also inside Galway’s growing commuter belt, with homes, families and local roads in close proximity. Residents have told Noel Thomas that while they are not opposed to renewable energy, they have serious concerns about the inclusion of large-scale lithium-ion battery storage near an established community.

Noel Thomas said:

“This community is not anti-renewables. People understand the need for clean energy. But renewables cannot be delivered by asking families to accept unmanaged risk.

If battery storage is being located near homes, then the safety case must be crystal clear. Where is the independent reassessment? Where is the site-specific emergency plan? Communities deserve straight answers, not assumptions.”

Background and Context

Residents have referenced the planning history linked to Planning Permission 20/961 and the current Section 42 extension application 25/363, raising concerns about transparency and public participation in the extension process.

Community members also point to a lithium-ion battery fire in Claregalway in January 2025, which required a prolonged emergency response and reportedly resulted in firefighters being hospitalised. They say this incident demonstrates that battery safety concerns are not theoretical and that emergency preparedness must be clearly addressed where such infrastructure is proposed near homes.

Residents further argue that circumstances have materially changed since the original permission was granted in 2021, including evolving standards, updated guidance and increased public awareness of battery storage risks. They have also raised environmental concerns, including the site’s proximity to what is described as a vulnerable karst aquifer, and the absence of a dedicated BESS-specific fire and environmental risk assessment at the time of the original approval.

Noel Thomas is calling for the following safeguards before any extension decision proceeds:
• An independent, updated reassessment of BESS fire safety and environmental risk reflecting current standards and guidance.
• Publication of a plain-English, site-specific Emergency Response Plan, clearly outlining fire response procedures, access routes, containment measures and coordination with local emergency services.
• Clear confirmation from Galway County Council that public participation rights are fully protected and that all relevant safety documentation is made publicly available.
• Application of a clear “right location” test, ensuring that renewable infrastructure is not progressed in a manner that concentrates perceived industrial risk beside established communities.

Noel Thomas concluded:

“Galway can lead on renewable energy — but we must also lead on protecting communities. Public confidence is not built by dismissing concerns. It is built through transparency, proper safeguards and genuine engagement.

People here are simply asking that safety and fairness come first.”