Lack of investors sees incinerator plans fall through

A LACK of investors has put paid to plans for a multi- million euro incinerator on the outskirts of Limerick city, it has emerged.

As a result, Limerick Energy Renewal has withdrawn a proposal from An Bord Pleanála.

The company had already entered pre-application consultation discussions on plans to construct a thermal treatment plant at Gillogue in south east Clare which would have the capacity to treat 150,000 tonnes of waste per annum.

The proposals had been drawn up in response to local authorities in the region producing a thermal feasibility study in 2005 which showed the mid-west would benefit from the development of a thermal waste treatment plant.

The company was to treat the waste through pyrolysis thermal treatment.

Limerick Energy Renewal said the primary objective of the proposed thermal treatment facility was to achieve a reduction in waste being sent to landfill.

Documents provided by Bord Pleanála refer to an email from a company director of Limerick Energy Recovery, Fergus Quinlivan, stating: “Possible key investors are reluctant to commit funds at this time to enable the project directors to contract the required professional expertise to respond to the queries raised by An Bord Pleanála.”

It is believed Bord Pleanála had requested the rationale behind the site selection. The proposed site is adjacent to the Clare end of the University of Limerick campus and fronts onto the former Burlington Ireland plant at Gillogue.