Meath County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a new gas-fired power plant in Kentstown, Meath, has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Polarisgate Ltd, a Dublin-based company, submitted an application last October for a 180MW gas-fired plant designed to generate electricity for export to the national grid.
The local community is unhappy with the proposals, feeling that they were not adequately consulted, and that there is still a lack of information about the project.
The development will include three 60MW open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) generators, each with a 30m high exhaust stack, providing a combined capacity of 180MW. The site is currently in agricultural use.
The turbines will primarily run on natural gas supplied from the Gas Networks Ireland network, which has a transmission pipeline running adjacent to the site.
A secondary back-up fuel, diesel, will also be stored on site for use in the event of a gas supply disruption. The plans include three bunded diesel storage tanks, each with a capacity of 1,950m³ (approximately 1.95 million litres).
According to the developer, the plant is intended to operate on standby, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and capable of reaching full capacity within 10 minutes when required. It is expected to have a minimum operational lifespan of 40 years.
Planning approval
The planning permission was granted subject to 22 conditions. These include financial contributions to Meath County Council, strict noise controls during operation and the appointment of a dedicated community liaison officer.
In its report, the council’s planner stated that, subject to compliance with the conditions, the power plant would align with European, national, regional and local planning policy.
It also said that it would be consistent with the Climate Action and Low Carbon (Amendment) Act 2021 and would not have an unacceptable impact on the environment, ecology or local residents’ amenities.
Under the Climate Action Plan, the country is obliged to deliver 2,000MW of new flexible gas-fired power stations by 2030.
Appeal
Local campaign group Stop Kentstown Power Plant said it was “deeply disappointed and shocked” by the council’s decision to “wrongfully grant permission for the proposed fossil fuel power plant in our community.”
The group confirmed it intended to lodge an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. However, at the time of going to print, the details of the grounds for appeal had not been made public.
Earlier this month, members held a public meeting announcing the appeal and launched an online fundraising campaign to cover associated costs.
Political reaction
Aontú councillor Emer Tóibín expressed her disappointment at the planning decision.
“I believe this is yet another heavy blow to a rural area already carrying more than its fair share of industrial burden, including a major landfill,” she said.
“There is growing frustration and confusion as to why this location has been chosen again for a major and visually intrusive facility, with such potentially significant environmental and health impacts.”
Polarisgate's proposed gas-fired peaking plant Kentstown.
Councillor Tóibín added that many in the community were “shocked and upset” to learn of the approval.
The appeals process is expected to take several months before a final decision is reached.
Platin power plant go-ahead
Elsewhere in Meath, SSE has decided to proceed with the €300m Platin Power Station. The 170MW power plant, near Duleek, was granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála in February.
The 26ac site will see three open-cycle gas turbines installed, which SSE says will strengthen security of supply and respond to periods of high demand in the Leinster region. The company said it will also provide back-up power to the growing share of renewable energy on the system. The station can be switched on and off as demand peaks.
The plant has been designed to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and natural gas, with the potential to convert to hydrogen in the future. Construction at Platin is expected to commence this autumn, with completion planned for 2028. SSE’s project has faced some local opposition.
Earlier this month, SSE Generation Ireland Limited applied for permission to build a medium-voltage substation and associated underground cabling to service the power plant.
Meath County Council’s decision to grant planning permission for a new gas-fired power plant in Kentstown, Meath, has been appealed to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
Polarisgate Ltd, a Dublin-based company, submitted an application last October for a 180MW gas-fired plant designed to generate electricity for export to the national grid.
The local community is unhappy with the proposals, feeling that they were not adequately consulted, and that there is still a lack of information about the project.
The development will include three 60MW open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT) generators, each with a 30m high exhaust stack, providing a combined capacity of 180MW. The site is currently in agricultural use.
The turbines will primarily run on natural gas supplied from the Gas Networks Ireland network, which has a transmission pipeline running adjacent to the site.
A secondary back-up fuel, diesel, will also be stored on site for use in the event of a gas supply disruption. The plans include three bunded diesel storage tanks, each with a capacity of 1,950m³ (approximately 1.95 million litres).
According to the developer, the plant is intended to operate on standby, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and capable of reaching full capacity within 10 minutes when required. It is expected to have a minimum operational lifespan of 40 years.
Planning approval
The planning permission was granted subject to 22 conditions. These include financial contributions to Meath County Council, strict noise controls during operation and the appointment of a dedicated community liaison officer.
In its report, the council’s planner stated that, subject to compliance with the conditions, the power plant would align with European, national, regional and local planning policy.
It also said that it would be consistent with the Climate Action and Low Carbon (Amendment) Act 2021 and would not have an unacceptable impact on the environment, ecology or local residents’ amenities.
Under the Climate Action Plan, the country is obliged to deliver 2,000MW of new flexible gas-fired power stations by 2030.
Appeal
Local campaign group Stop Kentstown Power Plant said it was “deeply disappointed and shocked” by the council’s decision to “wrongfully grant permission for the proposed fossil fuel power plant in our community.”
The group confirmed it intended to lodge an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. However, at the time of going to print, the details of the grounds for appeal had not been made public.
Earlier this month, members held a public meeting announcing the appeal and launched an online fundraising campaign to cover associated costs.
Political reaction
Aontú councillor Emer Tóibín expressed her disappointment at the planning decision.
“I believe this is yet another heavy blow to a rural area already carrying more than its fair share of industrial burden, including a major landfill,” she said.
“There is growing frustration and confusion as to why this location has been chosen again for a major and visually intrusive facility, with such potentially significant environmental and health impacts.”
Polarisgate's proposed gas-fired peaking plant Kentstown.
Councillor Tóibín added that many in the community were “shocked and upset” to learn of the approval.
The appeals process is expected to take several months before a final decision is reached.
Platin power plant go-ahead
Elsewhere in Meath, SSE has decided to proceed with the €300m Platin Power Station. The 170MW power plant, near Duleek, was granted planning permission by An Coimisiún Pleanála in February.
The 26ac site will see three open-cycle gas turbines installed, which SSE says will strengthen security of supply and respond to periods of high demand in the Leinster region. The company said it will also provide back-up power to the growing share of renewable energy on the system. The station can be switched on and off as demand peaks.
The plant has been designed to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and natural gas, with the potential to convert to hydrogen in the future. Construction at Platin is expected to commence this autumn, with completion planned for 2028. SSE’s project has faced some local opposition.
Earlier this month, SSE Generation Ireland Limited applied for permission to build a medium-voltage substation and associated underground cabling to service the power plant.
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