Planning given for Kerry energy plant with potential for 35 jobs
A decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission to Shannon LNG for the plant has been welcomed in the area.
The plant will be on a site alongside a proposed liquid natural gas terminal on the Shannon Estuary near Tarbert, which was given planning in 2008 but has not yet been built.
Despite having widespread support locally, the gas terminal proposal has been beset by obstacles and some objections and is awaiting a judicial review from the High Court.
Shannon LNG is seeking a review of tariffs by the energy regulator on energy companies to offset the cost of a gas interconnector between Ireland and Britain.
Plans for both developments have been widely welcomed in north Kerry. The area has been badly hit by emigration and a local task force on jobs, headed by former Kerry Group chief executive Denis Brosnan, launched its report earlier this week.
A small percentage of electricity generated at the 500MW CHP plant will go to the gas terminal but most will be sent to the national grid.
Planning has been granted subject to 29 conditions. According Kerry North/West Limerick Labour TD Arthur Spring and local development associations, the company should have no issue in complying with the conditions.
Mr Spring said planning approval would “strengthen” the company’s hand when it comes to securing a firm financial commitment from the Hess corporation, owners of Shannon LNG, pending a favourable court decision concerning the gas terminal.
“Both projects are intrinsically linked and, obviously without a gas terminal, the gas-fired generating plant will not happen.
“There is a lot to gain and a lot to lose for the north Kerry area depending on the High Court outcome.
“A favourable outcome will lead to an additional 200 jobs during the construction stage of the plant and 35 full-time jobs once the plant is in operation, on top of the jobs to be created in building and running the original project, the gas terminal.”
He also said Energy Minister Pat Rabbitte has been in communication with the development associations to reiterate his personal support for the project.
Upwards of 500 jobs are expected to be created during construction of the terminal and 50 permanent jobs when completed.
During the CHP planning process, concerns were raised about the impact on marine life, including bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary, but Bord Pleanála said it was satisfied adequate mitigation measures would be implemented. Mesh screening, for example, is to be installed at the sea water intake point to prevent fish entrapment.