This follows Strategic Power Projects Ltd (SPPL) lodging redesigned plans with An Bord Pleanála for the power plant following advances in battery energy storage system (BESS) technology that “have allowed for enhanced safety” and the company.
It is now over three years since SPPL lodged their contentious BESS planning application in May 2021 for Dunnstown, near Two Mile House in Co Kildare which was subsequently refused planning permission by Kildare Co Council.
The council refusal followed several of the country’s leading stud farms lodging objections against the proposal which is located 2km south of Two Mile House and 5km from Kilcullen.
Those to oppose the power plant included the Aga Khan’s Sallymount and Gilltown studs, John Malone’s Castlemartin stud, the Irish National Stud and the Irish Thoroughbred Horsebreeders’ Association.
SPPL appealed the refusal to An Bord Pleanála and An Bord Pleanála granted planning permission for the BESS in September 2022.
However, following a High Court judicial review challenge taken by local residents which resulted in the court quashing the An Bord Pleanála grant of permission, the case was referred back before the appeals board in May.
Now, as part of the revised 222MW plans lodged with An Bord Pleanála, planning consultant Peter Thomson for the applicants has stated that since the grant of permission, there have been advances in BESS technology.
He said the changes in the design and chemistry of batteries have allowed for enhanced safety.
As a result, the BESS will use lithium iron phosphate batteries instead of the initially proposed lithium ion batteries.
Mr Thomson said the use of the lithium iron phosphate batteries overcomes third party fire and safety concerns expressed in a report previously lodged with the board.
Mr Thomson said the third party expert report suggested that the lithium iron phosphate batteries do not carry the same risks as the lithium ion batteries.
Mr Thomson said the battery storage units initially proposed – which included 40-foot containers – are now obsolete and can be replaced by much smaller units.
He said this will result in the same storage capacity over half of the original BESS site and provides “for the optimal layout and design”.
Mr Thomson said that since the grant of permission, the council has granted planning permission for a house 145m from the BESS in the new revised layout.
Mr Thomson said the visual and acoustic impacts on the potential house occupants are significantly reduced under the new proposal.
He said it has to be assumed that the house applicant lodged plans in the knowledge that he would be living next to the proposed BESS as the BESS appeal was before the appeals board at the time.
The appeals board has told parties that it will make its decision in December.