Boliden Tara Mines DAC, the proprietor of Tara Mines, has received authorisation from Meath County Council to establish a solar farm on an 84-acre plot neighbouring its zinc mine location in Co Meath. This €20 million 18MW solar farm is intended to supply the Tara Mines facility with constantly available, renewably produced electricity.
The proposed project will not be linked to the national power grid, but will directly connect to the existing substation situated within Tara Mines. According to a representative from Boliden, the goal of the project was to enhance the company’s sustainability performance and gain a larger hold on their energy-related expenses, thus ensuring the mine’s future.
The possibility of the solar farm’s construction remains uncertain and will be decided later, following the approval of Meath County Council. A study on the socio-economic advantages of this scheme emphasizes Tara Mines’ high energy consumption. The report suggests that an onsite solar farm would shield the mining facility from sharp changes in energy prices.
It is anticipated that the resultant financial savings and reinvestments from the project will not only maintain the current workforce but also create new job opportunities. Furthermore, a significant portion of the estimated €20 million investment is expected to be injected into local, county, and regional supply chains.
This development comes on the heels of the tentative agreement between Boliden and unions to resume operations at Tara Mines, which saw 650 employees laid off due to falling global zinc prices.
Despite this, objections to the plan have been voiced. Local resident Kieran O’Sullivan has voiced concerns about the project’s proximity to residential properties in Liscarton, deeming the solar farm’s magnitude unsuitable.