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Released August 12, 2019 | GALWAY, IRELAND
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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Plans to convert a peat-fired power station in the midlands of Ireland to biomass have been shot down by the nation's planning authority, An Bord Pleanála.
Plant owner ESB wanted to convert the 150-megawatt (MW) West Offaly peat plant at Shannonbridge in County Offaly to co-fire with biomass, but planning permission has been refused due to biodiversity and climate concerns. ESB planned to co-fire peat alongside biomass from 2021 until the end of 2027, when it aimed to have the whole plant using biomass only. The future of the plant and the 300 workers working there and at its main peat supplier, Bord na Mona, is now uncertain with some claiming the plant could be shut down as early as next year.
As part of its decision, the Board stated: "The Board completed an Environmental Impact Assessment and agreed with the Inspector in his assessment of the likely significant effects of the proposed development, which include climate impacts by means of continued burning of peat, transportation impacts, impacts on water from continued harvesting of peat to fuel the plant during the transition phase and nuisance to residents in the vicinity of the power plant due to increased traffic through the village and the extended delivery times for the biomass fuel. Furthermore, given the lack of information regarding the source of the biomass to be used as a fuel, the Board concluded that it cannot reasonably be determined that the main direct and indirect effects of the proposed development on the environment would be mitigated."
ESB Group of Unions Secretary Willie Noone told media: "It is now highly likely, that due to increasing costs, the ESB may deem the continued operation of Shannonbridge Power Station unviable as early as January 2020. This means that over 300 direct jobs are at risk, with hundreds more that indirectly rely on the operation of the power station also under threat."
ESB is also planning a similar biomass co-firing conversion of its nearby Lough Ree peat-fired station in County Longford, but last month it was forced to suspend operations at Lough Ree due to concerns over hot water discharges into the River Shannon. The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the problem and the potential impact on local fishery and wildlife. Industrial Info is tracking both co-firing projects. There are three peat-fired stations in Ireland supplying around 9% of the total electricity.
Ireland's Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton expressed his disappointment at the decision to block the project. "The ESB will have to look at this and see what the implications for the future are. I think it's premature to be drawing any conclusions. From the government's point of view, we want to ensure that the strategy that Bord na Móna wants to pursue - which is to have an orderly exit from peat and to create alternative employment - that remains the priority for Government."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
Plant owner ESB wanted to convert the 150-megawatt (MW) West Offaly peat plant at Shannonbridge in County Offaly to co-fire with biomass, but planning permission has been refused due to biodiversity and climate concerns. ESB planned to co-fire peat alongside biomass from 2021 until the end of 2027, when it aimed to have the whole plant using biomass only. The future of the plant and the 300 workers working there and at its main peat supplier, Bord na Mona, is now uncertain with some claiming the plant could be shut down as early as next year.
As part of its decision, the Board stated: "The Board completed an Environmental Impact Assessment and agreed with the Inspector in his assessment of the likely significant effects of the proposed development, which include climate impacts by means of continued burning of peat, transportation impacts, impacts on water from continued harvesting of peat to fuel the plant during the transition phase and nuisance to residents in the vicinity of the power plant due to increased traffic through the village and the extended delivery times for the biomass fuel. Furthermore, given the lack of information regarding the source of the biomass to be used as a fuel, the Board concluded that it cannot reasonably be determined that the main direct and indirect effects of the proposed development on the environment would be mitigated."
ESB Group of Unions Secretary Willie Noone told media: "It is now highly likely, that due to increasing costs, the ESB may deem the continued operation of Shannonbridge Power Station unviable as early as January 2020. This means that over 300 direct jobs are at risk, with hundreds more that indirectly rely on the operation of the power station also under threat."
ESB is also planning a similar biomass co-firing conversion of its nearby Lough Ree peat-fired station in County Longford, but last month it was forced to suspend operations at Lough Ree due to concerns over hot water discharges into the River Shannon. The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the problem and the potential impact on local fishery and wildlife. Industrial Info is tracking both co-firing projects. There are three peat-fired stations in Ireland supplying around 9% of the total electricity.
Ireland's Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton expressed his disappointment at the decision to block the project. "The ESB will have to look at this and see what the implications for the future are. I think it's premature to be drawing any conclusions. From the government's point of view, we want to ensure that the strategy that Bord na Móna wants to pursue - which is to have an orderly exit from peat and to create alternative employment - that remains the priority for Government."
Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, six offices in North America and 12 international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Our European headquarters are located in Galway, Ireland. Follow IIR Europe on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn For more information on our European coverage send inquiries to info@industrialinfo.eu or visit us online at Industrial Info Europe.
