Councillors concerned about diesel backup for power plant

The developers behind plans to construct a gas-fired power plant outside Rochfortbridge should look for a more "indigenous" backup fuel than diesel, local councillors have said.

During a special meeting yesterday morning to get councillors’ views on Lumcloon Energy Limited’s Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) application to An Bord Pleanála for a switchgear electrical substation that would link its €500m energy facility to the national grid, a number of representatives voiced concerns that the backup fuel for the facility’s gas-fired power plant is diesel.

Cathaoirleach Frankie Keena said that he was surprised to learn that the backup fuel for the power plant, which was granted planning permission by Westmeath County Council last month, was diesel.

He said that the council should put in a query along with the chief executive’s report on the SID asking if Lumcloon has looked at alternatives, such as biogas. He added that Ireland should be looking for "indigenous" forms of fuel, such as biogas, to help "disconnect ourselves from Russia and the US".

Cllr Hazel Smyth said that it was "bizarre" that diesel was the backup fuel chosen for the plant, which if it proceeds will be used to provide backup power to the national grid when renewable generation falls off.

Cllr Frank McDermott said that while he supports Lumcloon’s plans to construct both the power plant and a battery storage facility, which was also given the green light by the council last month, on the 52-acre site in the townlands of Kiltotan, Collinstown and Oldtown, "the word diesel takes the gloss off it".

Chief executive Pat Gallagher told the councillors that Lumcloon are required by regulation to provide a "backup to the backup".

The council executive has recommended that An Bord Pleanála gives Lumcloon the green light to construct the substation as it is line with the county development plan.

Speaking at the online meeting yesterday, Monday, local councillors in the main voiced their support for the project.

Cllr Frank McDermott said that developments such as this are "essential for the future maintenance of the economy".

"We need the power," the Fine Gael man said.

Cllr Hazel Smyth said that developments such as the one proposed by Lumcloon are "crucial as we journey towards decarbonisation. We need battery storage facilities to provide backup for renewable energy sources when there is no power".

Cllr Smyth, along with Cllrs Emily Wallace and John Shaw, also noted that a significant number of objections were lodged with Westmeath County Council against Lumcloon’s plans for the power plant and battery storage facilities.

She suggested that a community benefit fund be established and that trees should be planted on the site to offset pollution from when the gas fired power station is operational.

Cllr Shaw said that he had spoken to a number of people from Rochfortbridge and some were very concerned about the proposed development. He also said that some were not aware of "the extent of what is being proposed and were fearful of the unknown".

Cllr Wallace said that it is important that local people have a point of contact that they can get in touch with at all times of day if they have complaints about the development if and when it reaches the construction phase.

She also said that it is important that the road infrastructure in the vicinity of the development is maintained throughout the construction of the plant and that the council monitors it.

Cllr Tom Farrell asked if the development would have any bearing on planning applications submitted by local people in the future, while Cllr Johnnie Penrose asked if the developers had looked into putting the cables underground.

Senior planner Cathaldus Hartin told Cllr Farrell that all future planning applications would be decided on their own merits. He also informed Cllr Penrose that the development will, if it goes ahead, will be connected to the existing overhead national network.

Cllr Mick Dollard said that while the development may cause "a certain amount of discomfort" to people during its construction, it is vital that it proceeds if Ireland is not to experience electricity blackouts in the future.

Cllr John Dolan also voiced his support for the project. "We have to keep the lights on, it’s as simple as that," he said.

The decision due date for the SID is August 15.