Derrygreenagh Power Station
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Project Update - Planning Permission An Bord Pleanala has issued a direction on 12th April 2010 on its decision to grant planning permission to the Derrygreenagh power station project. This decision is granted under the Stategic Infrastruture Development planning regulations, following a rigorous planning process. Bord na Móna welcomes the decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning consent for the proposed development, which is an important part of Bord na Móna's long term strategy to develop a portfolio of generating assets, including windfarms and complementary flexible thermal plant. A recently published study commissioned by Eirgrid has indicated that this mix of renewable and complementary flexible conventional generation is the most likely and least cost generation portfolio mix for Ireland as it transitions to a low carbon economy over the course of the next twenty five years. The development at Derrygreenagh consists of two units: a reserve/peaking Open Cycle Gas Turbine unit of c. 170 MW, and a flexible Combined Cycle Gas Turbine unit of c. 430 MW. Owing to the scale of the development, the planning application was submitted directly to An Bord Pleanála under the Strategic Infrastructure planning provisions. The company has had an office, stores and workshop complex at Derrygreenagh since the 1950s. The existing activities will be relocated to another Bord na Móna premises prior to the development of the new station. The site at Derrygreenagh was selected by Bord na Móna primarily because of its location: it is a comparatively isolated site that lies in close proximity to the main Dublin-Galway gas pipeline and also to the electricity grid. Welcoming the planning approval, Gabriel D'Arcy, the Chief Executive commented: "We are delighted with the decision to grant planning consent for the new power station at Derrygreenagh. This is a major milestone on the road to bringing this project to fruition. However, there are still a number of hurdles to be cleared, including obtaining a grid connection offer and an IPPC licence for the power station. The completion of these associated consents processes will dictate when the project can progress to the construction stage." Development of the new power station will lead to the creation of up to 450 jobs during the construction phase. When the power station is in full operation, approx 35 people will be employed in the operation and maintenance of the facility. All of the documentation submitted by Bord na Mona as part of the application, including a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement, planning drawings and further information requested by An Bord Pleanala are available to download on this website. A copy of the direction, which details the decision and attached conditions, and the planning inspectors report will be made available shortly on the An Bord Pleanala's website, www.pleanala.ie. Project Information Bord na Móna is Ireland's leading environmentally responsible integrated utility service provider encompassing electricity, heating solutions, resource recovery, water, horticulture and related services. As part of its diversification programme, Bord na Móna intends to construct a new power station at Derrygreenagh, which is located in Co. Offaly on the R400 between Rhode and Rochfortbridge. The proposed power station will consist of two units: a c. 430 MW flexible combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) unit; and a c. 170 MW reserve/peaking open cycle gas turbine (OCGT) unit. In accordance with Section 37E of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended by the Planning and Development (Strategic Infrastructure) Act 2006, Bord na Móna has made an application to An Bord Pleanála for permission to construct the power station. Full details of the proposed development are provided in the various documents submitted to An Bord Pleanála, which can be accessed and downloaded from this website. Please see the links to the various pages above to access all relevant documents.