Permission granted for major new power station on the Shannon Estuary

In a detailed ruling, which runs to more than 30 pages, the board confirmed its decision to grant permission for the development subject to compliance with more than 20 conditions.

The proposed power plant will comprise three turbine halls each containing a single Combined Cycle Gas Turbine with a capacity of approximately 200 megawatts.

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"It is considered that the proposed development would accord with the relevant policy at a European, national, regional and local level," stated the board which added that it is satisfied that the proposed development "would be consistent with national climate ambitions and with the relevant provisions of the Climate Action Plan 2024."

In their decision, members of the Board state the proposed development along with the proposed battery energy storage facility, "will provide back-up to a renewables-based electricity grid and will contribute to the resilience of the overall energy supply network."

The decision notes the need for "flexible generation capacity" is recognised as a national priority in the Government Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply, and in the Climate Action Plan 2024.

While the decision of An Bord Pleanála, confirmed this Tuesday, has been welcomed by a number of high profile local politicians, it has been criticised by Friends of the Irish Environment.

"By locking us into more fossil fuels, the planning appeals board have directly and purposely ignored our Climate Act which says that all decisions must be consistent with the requirement to become a climate neutral economy," said one of its directors Tony Lowes.

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