Pre-planning discussions on Shannonbridge biomass future
THE ESB is aiming to lodge an application for planning permission to convert the existing station at Shannonbridge – along with the station in Lanesborough – from peat fuel to biomass within the next few months.
The ESB is engaging with An Bord Pleanala at the pre-planning stage in what a spokesman described as “constructive discussions”.
The discussions are around whether the project constitutes Strategic Infrastructure Development. If it does, the planning application will go to An Bord Pleanala. If not, it will go to Offaly County Council.
To qualify as a Strategic Infrastructure Development, a project is deemed to be of strategic economic or social importance to the state or the relevant region; would have a significant effect on the area of more than one planning authority and/or would contribute substantially to the fulfillment of any of the objectives of the National Planning Framework.
“ESB is continuing to engage constructively with An Bord Pleanala at the pre-planning stages on West Offaly Power, in line with their process on Strategic Infrastructure Development projects such as this. On completion of these discussions, a full planning application will be lodged,” said a spokesman for the ESB.
“We do expect to lodge a planning application in the coming months,” he added.
ESB intends to convert both stations from peat fuel to biomass by 2030, in line with its strategy to lead the country's transition to a low-carbon future and in line with EU requirements. There are around 35 people employed in each of the stations.
Trials have already taken place and the ESB envisages that the transition will be very smooth and it is not expected that either of the two plants will have to close to facilitate it.
The ESB says that engagement with the local community is continuing.
A Community Liaison Officer, David Linnane, has been appointed. David can be contacted on 086 255 8111 or email davidjlinnane@gmail.com for any local queries in relation the project.