Shannon LNG secures planning approval for 600mw power plant in Kerry
The development, set for a 630-acre site between Tarbert and Ballylongford. Picture: iStock
An Bord Pleanála has granted Shannon LNG permission for a 600mw gas powered powerplant on the Shannon Estuary in North Kerry.
The power station is one element of what has been a decades-long four-part plan for the 41 hectare site which centred on a controversial liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal and jetty for imported gas.
Clearance has already been given for a 26 km pipeline to the gas network at Foynes, along with transmission cable connections to the electricity power grid on the Kerry and Clare sides of the estuary.
The new major power plant will be 2.5km across the Shannon from the Co Clare Moneypoint station and 4km from the Tarbert power Station as well as in close proximity to dozens of wind turbines.
The latest decision represents an about-turn by An Bord Pleanála.
The planning board originally ruled that it would be inappropriate to permit such a development, pending the completion of an ongoing review of energy supply.
But on Tuesday it said: "The proposed development along with the proposed battery energy storage facility, will provide back-up to a renewables-based electricity grid and will contribute to the resilience of the overall energy supply network.”
The three turbine plant - each rising over 30 metres high - would not seriously injure the visual amenities of the area, or of property in the vicinity, would be acceptable in terms of traffic safety and would constitute an appropriate form of development at this location, it said.
It also granted permission for a 120-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System.
Dozens of submissions had been made in support of the project from individuals, sporting organisations and the business community in north Kerry. However there were also strong objections from environmental groups.
Labour Party Spokesperson for Climate, Environment and Energy Ciarán Ahern said that Energy Minister Darragh O'Brien should intervene.
"Minister O’Brien needs to make his views clear on this. When the Planning and Development Bill was making its way through the Oireachtas, the Labour Party was repeatedly assured by Government Ministers that there were no plans to import fracked gas. Now, within a matter of months and under the influence of climate-denying independents, we’re seeing them roll back on that promise. It is becoming increasingly clear that this Government has little interest in meeting our climate targets.
“Ultimately, it is people who will suffer through increased energy bills, more pollution and a worse environment, not to mention the fact that the money to pay for the up to €26 billion in fines we’ll face has to come from somewhere."
Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman said the decision showed that it is "clear that the new Government has given signals to commercial LNG operators that they will be able to access Ireland in the near future".
“Introducing commercial LNG as part of our energy mix will lessen the drive to develop renewable energy alternatives, and will make it far harder to meet our climate targets. This is a further retreat from the pro-climate policies that had applied over the last four years”, said Mr O’Gorman.
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