Meath County Council has sought further information on plans for a 180 megawatt gas fired peaking power plant to be built near Kentstown.
A public meeting was held last year as the proposal “raised substantial community interest due to its potential impacts on air quality, noise, and environmental sustainability, along with provisions for future expansion that could increase these effects,” according to an organising spokesperson of the meeting.
Polarisgate Ltd is an Irish owned renewable energy company who recently developed three wind farms in Co Kilkenny and Co Mayo and secured planning for wind farms in counties Donegal, Kilkenny, and Mayo.
Polarisgate Ltd is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the development of three open cycle gas turbine generators at Curraghtown, Brownstown. The plant, if approved, would have a 40-year operation period and would provide back-up electricity to the national grid.
The proposal also includes liquid fuel storage supply as secondary fuel with three fuel storage tanks, an unloading area, fuel polishing with transfer system building and fuel pipework, three generators, step up transformers, and a single storey communication building.
Natural gas supply including Gas Networks Ireland above ground installation and natural gas receiving facility are also part of the proposal including other amenities such as car parking.
The application requires a license from the Environmental Protection Agency under the Industrial Emissions Directive 2012/18/EU and falls under the requirements of the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Regulations, 2025. This planning application is accompanied by a Natura Impact Statement (NIS).
The plant would remain on standby and run when demand on the national grid is high and when supply from renewable energy sources are low according to documents accompanying the application.
There was widespread opposition to the proposal in Kentstown and worried locals shown in a public meeting last November to discuss the proposal where a wide range of concerns were raised from the risk to human health and the possible impact of the plant on day-to-day lives of so many people living in proximity to the site.
The council received 200 submissions in relation to the planning application with locals concerned regarding a range of issues including the fact an Environmental Impact Assessment report is still required.
The Council is seeking further information in several areas including the need for its development in that location and a 40 year operational period, both of which were not explained. They are also asking for the company to provide mapping on the likely route selection for the grid connection and gas pipework, potential impact on the local grey partridge bird population to be assessed and mitigation measures explored, and for a badger survey to be carried out.
It was found that the use and impact of diesel as a secondary fuel supply was not fully considered and assessed and the applicant was asked to provide confirmation that the potential use of renewable gases was considered.
There are also visual pollution issues as the smoke stacks would be visible from the Hill of Slane, Hill of Tara, and Knowth, all three of which being UNESCO heritage sites.
“Concern in the community is widespread and evident given the volume of submissions received in relation to the planning application,” a spokesperson for the local committee formed to fight the proposal said.
“Concern has increased with the granting of planning permission for the power station at Carranstown Duleek and with news of An Bord Pleanála overturning the council’s decision to grant Dawn Meat’s permit to pump waste water into the River Boyne. Faith in the council’s planning department has waned.”
