Gas-fired power station plan for Monksland moves closer
At a time when power generation is very much in focus, a new gas-fired power plant in the Athlone area has moved a step closer.
Greener Ideas Limited, which was granted planning approval back in 2019 for an unmanned station in Monksland, has submitted a pre-application application for permission for a 110kV electrical substation and grid connection to An Bord Pleanála.
The project is planned for a 1.6 hectare site approximately 3km south west of Athlone town centre.
The location is to the south of both Oliver Carty and Arran Chemicals facilities and is bounded to the south by the M6 (Galway to Athlone)
road.
It is one of nine new gas-fired power plants due to be built in Ireland by 2024, in a bid to head off a potential shortage of power on the island.
The raft of new developments moved forward following a recent capacity auction run by the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO), a joint venture between SONI in Northern Ireland, and EirGrid in the Republic, in a bid to meet future power needs countrywide.
The plant was successful in the recent auction to procure new electricity generation capacity for delivery to the grid in 2024.
Greener Ideas Ltd, a joint venture set up between Bord Gais Energy and Mountside Properties, got the green light over three years ago for a 100MW gas-fired power plant in Monksland Industrial Estate.
One megawatt is considered enough power for 1,000 homes.
In 2009, when plans for the project were first mooted, it was indicated that it would involve a €100m investment.
Natural gas supplied from the Gas Networks Ireland national grid will be the primary fuel source for the plant, it adds, coming via a new below ground pipeline from the existing gas network.
Low sulphur diesel oil will be stored as a backup fuel in the event of an interruption to the natural gas supply.
During the local planning process for the Monksland gas-fired power plant, it was revealed in the planning documents that the plant would provide little or no jobs boost for the area as it would be unmanned.
The power station, to be located on a 1.6 hectare site, would be operated remotely from Bord Gais Energy's Whitegate power station in Cork, and would supplement the grid at times of high electricity demand on the island.
The plant will also regularise energy provision in the electricity grid, especially in the context of an increase in the use of renewable technologies, such as solar and wind power.
Other elements of the power station include an engine hall building standing 17 metres high, an electrical annex building, a control building, admin building, workshop and various tanks on-site.
An Bord Pleanála is due to give a decision on the application for the infrastructure to connect to the grid via a substation by July 19 next.
The project will also require a pipeline to bring the gas to the station. This element of the project will require its own planning approval.