AN BORD Pleanála has approved plans to build a 350 megawatt gas-fired power plant near Ferbane in Co Offaly.
Lumcloon Energy, the private consortium behind the project, expects to create up to 500 jobs during its two-year construction and 50 permanent jobs when the plant is completed.
The €350 million gas-fired electricity generating facility planned on the site of an old ESB peat station at Lumcloon near Ferbane, is specifically designed as a backup for Ireland’s growing wind energy market.
Capable of feeding into the national grid in a matter of minutes, given a lull in the wind, designers believe the new plant will be necessary to support Ireland’s wind energy target of 40 per cent by 2020.
Gas will be supplied to Lumcloon through a 20-mile pipeline connecting the plant with the national gas network at Athlone in Co Westmeath.
News of the planning approval was warmly welcomed in the area. Cllr Connie Hanniffy (FG) said the announcement was “fantastic” as Ferbane “got hit badly” by job losses in recent times.
Speaking of the consortium she said, “I think they worked very, very closely with the local community, the local councillors and the local council and I think that is very important.”
Echoing her sentiments, Cllr Eamon Dooley (FF) said it was “very positive news” for the area. He urged the company to employ locally where possible.
Spokesman for Lumcloon Energy, John Gallagher expressed his delight and said “the first sod should be turned by the end of the year, start of 2011”. Lumcloon Energy received unanimous support from the elected members of Offaly County Council last year.
Under the terms of the planning permission, Lumcloon Energy has agreed to provide €50,000 per year for three years to community projects in the locality.
Laois/Offaly Fine Gael TD, Olwyn Enright welcomed An Bord Pleanála’s decision.
She described the announcement as “a much-needed boost” for the area. “Work is expected to begin on the project this summer and with this in mind, I would encourage the company to maximise the skills of local people for this proposed plant,” she said.
“Having met with those involved last year, I was impressed by the professional manner in how they have approached this important project, which is to be built on the site of the old ESB plant in Lumcloon.
“At a time where the job creation is of the utmost importance, this new project is a major leg up for the area,” she added.
The proposed gas-fired plant is designed specifically to support the Government’s renewable energy strategy and will operate on the basis of smart grid load management, supplying energy to the national grid on a targeted basis as required.
The plant will consist of two generating units – a combined cycle unit which can run continuously and a reserve/peaking unit, providing support during periods of a fall-off in wind generation.
Mr Gallagher said the plant will be “highly efficient” at producing electricity. “The plant is composed of compartmentalised generating units that switch on and off” , he explained.
Discussions between Lumcloon Energy and the Energy Regulator over the proposed wattage of the plant are expected to take place in the coming months.