How PrePlanning.ie Helps Renewable Energy Developers Find the Perfect Site

October 13th 2025 | Blog | Planners | Developers

Choosing the right location is one of the most critical and challenging stages in developing renewable energy projects like anaerobic digestion (AD), biogas, solar, or wind. A site that looks ideal on paper can quickly become a problem if it faces planning constraints, environmental sensitivities, or grid connection issues. That’s why thorough pre-planning research is essential before investing time or money into a new project. At PrePlanning.ie, we help developers make confident, data-driven site selection decisions by providing instant, accurate, and detailed pre-planning reports built from verified national and local data sources.

Why Site Selection Matters:

For any renewable energy project, the success of your planning application often depends on where you build. Key factors that influence site suitability include:

Access to feedstock or natural resources
Proximity to the national grid and utility infrastructure
Environmental and policy constraints
Local road and transport capacity
Flood risk and surface water management
Zoning and land-use designations
Community proximity and potential sensitivities

Even one overlooked constraint can add months of delays or additional cost later in the process.

Turning Complex Data into Clear Site Insights:

Stage
Developer Need
How Preplanning.ie Helps

Early Site Screening
Identify suitable areas for renewable energy development
Instantly check zoning, land use, flood risk, and environmental constraints

Grid & Infrastructure Review
Evaluate access to grid connections, roads, and utilities
Overlay proximity to key infrastructure and highlight technical feasibility

Planning Policy Alignment
Understand how your site fits within local and national policy
Summarises relevant development plan objectives, renewable energy zones, and land-use strategies

Environmental & Heritage Sensitivities
Avoid costly environmental assessments later
Maps Natura 2000 sites, SAC/SPA boundaries, watercourses, and heritage features

De-Risking Investment and Accelerating Timelines:

A pre-planning report isn’t just a box-ticking exercise it’s a decision-making tool. By using PrePlanning.ie early in your feasibility process, you can:

Avoid unsuitable sites before acquisition or lease negotiation
Identify constraints that might trigger an EIAR or NIS requirement
Estimate grid and access feasibility faster
Build stronger, evidence-based planning applications
Engage proactively with communities and local authorities

The result is a faster path from concept to application and fewer surprises along the way.

Supporting Ireland’s Clean Energy Transition:

Ireland’s renewable energy sector is expanding rapidly but so too is the competition for viable sites. By combining automation, accurate data, and planning expertise, PrePlanning.ie gives developers a smarter way to identify and assess sites that align with national climate goals and local planning policies. Whether you’re exploring a single rural site or evaluating a full portfolio of potential locations, our instant reports help you make informed, sustainable, and compliant decisions.

Make Site Selection Smarter with PrePlanning.ie:

Before you choose your next site, get the full planning picture. Generate your own pre-planning report today and see how accurate, automated insights can guide your next renewable energy project. Let PrePlanning.ie guide you to your next viable site before you ever lodge an application. Contact us today to learn how we can support your project through intelligent site assessment or call us on 056 7820020