AN BORD Pleanála has approved the application by Endesa Ireland, part of the Spanish energy company, to build a combined-cycle gas turbine power plant on the former ESB station at Tarbert, Co Kerry.
The power plant, which will generate up to 450 megawatts by 2016, is to be built within the confines of the existing power-generating plant at Tarbert, which is to be demolished, on the Shannon estuary opposite Moneypoint.
The plant is likely to be supplied with gas from the national gas network, An Bord Gáis, currently some 22km away, and possibly from the nearby liquified natural gas terminal, Shannon LNG, at Kilcolgan near Ballylongford.
A submarine cable is to supply Moneypoint.
The new more energy efficient plant at Tarbert will occupy 10 hectares of the existing 42-hectare site and be constructed in two phases over four years.
The Endesa application came under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, which provides for planning applications for some major projects to be made directly to An Bord Pleanála, and an oral hearing was held earlier this year.
An Taisce questioned the need for the plant in light of the increase in carbon emissions that would be involved. The local development organisation welcomed the proposal.
The board has attached more than 20 conditions to the proposal.
A community gain fund of €200,000, made up of four annual payments of €50,000, is to begin the year of construction. The money is to be managed by a liaison committee made up of the local community in Tarbert, representatives of Kerry County Council and Endesa.
Other conditions include noise-level restrictions, screening and dust-control measures. There is a 10-year period for the development.
Endesa has substantial electricity interests in Spain and Latin America. Endesa Ireland was established in January 2009 following its acquisition of former ESB stations at Great Island, Wexford; Tarbert, Co Kerry; Rhode, Offaly, and Tawnaghmore, Co Mayo.
Irish Times
www.buckplanning.ie
Showing posts with label tarbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tarbert. Show all posts
Sunday, 2 January 2011
Friday, 9 January 2009
Company insists €500m gas pipeline to go ahead
DESPITE reports that work on the building of a €500 million gas terminal on the Shannon Estuary has been delayed for at least a year, the company behind the project yesterday insisted it would go ahead.
Planning objections are among the reasons for pushing back the construction date of the Shannon LNG (liquid natural gas) project, near Tarbert, Co Kerry, according to an American trade magazine.
The starting date for the country’s first LNG terminal was to have been early this year, but it will now be 2010 or 2011, the Texas-based Industrial Info Resources reported.
Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess corporation, told the Irish Examiner they were committed to the project, but had a policy of not commenting on speculation. The company has said its terminal will secure the future of Ireland’s gas needs and will supply up to 60% of our natural gas requirements.
The deepwater estuary will enable around 125 tankers to bring gas in a liquified form from all over the world to the terminal, to be erected on a Shannon Development-owned industrial landbank.
When plans were first announced, in 2006, the company’s aim was to have the terminal operational by 2012, or 2013. The terminal, including two giant storage towers, is expected to take four years to construct.
While the project has been widely welcomed in the north Kerry area — one of the country’s unemployment black spots — some local concerns about safety and environmental issues have been voiced at a number of An Bord Pleanála planning hearings.
The project was fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála as strategic infrastructure last year. A court challenge also followed the decision to grant permission in March, but the case was later dismissed.
At the oral hearings, Shannon LNG moved to ease concerns about the safety of the project and the 25km gas pipeline that will connect the terminal with the national gas grid.
An oral hearing, in Listowel, was told a key condition of planning was that the gas must be moved by pipeline, not road, to link up with the national gas network, near Foynes, Co Limerick.
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG, said the pipeline was designed to the same standards as Bord Gáis pipelines, He described risks to people as “insignificant”.
He said pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
Mr Bowdoin further stated the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, to minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
Upwards of 600 jobs are expected to be provided during construction and 50 permanent positions when the terminal is in operation.
A planning decision on the pipeline is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning objections are among the reasons for pushing back the construction date of the Shannon LNG (liquid natural gas) project, near Tarbert, Co Kerry, according to an American trade magazine.
The starting date for the country’s first LNG terminal was to have been early this year, but it will now be 2010 or 2011, the Texas-based Industrial Info Resources reported.
Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess corporation, told the Irish Examiner they were committed to the project, but had a policy of not commenting on speculation. The company has said its terminal will secure the future of Ireland’s gas needs and will supply up to 60% of our natural gas requirements.
The deepwater estuary will enable around 125 tankers to bring gas in a liquified form from all over the world to the terminal, to be erected on a Shannon Development-owned industrial landbank.
When plans were first announced, in 2006, the company’s aim was to have the terminal operational by 2012, or 2013. The terminal, including two giant storage towers, is expected to take four years to construct.
While the project has been widely welcomed in the north Kerry area — one of the country’s unemployment black spots — some local concerns about safety and environmental issues have been voiced at a number of An Bord Pleanála planning hearings.
The project was fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála as strategic infrastructure last year. A court challenge also followed the decision to grant permission in March, but the case was later dismissed.
At the oral hearings, Shannon LNG moved to ease concerns about the safety of the project and the 25km gas pipeline that will connect the terminal with the national gas grid.
An oral hearing, in Listowel, was told a key condition of planning was that the gas must be moved by pipeline, not road, to link up with the national gas network, near Foynes, Co Limerick.
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG, said the pipeline was designed to the same standards as Bord Gáis pipelines, He described risks to people as “insignificant”.
He said pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
Mr Bowdoin further stated the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, to minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
Upwards of 600 jobs are expected to be provided during construction and 50 permanent positions when the terminal is in operation.
A planning decision on the pipeline is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Company insists €500m gas pipeline to go ahead
DESPITE reports that work on the building of a €500 million gas terminal on the Shannon Estuary has been delayed for at least a year, the company behind the project yesterday insisted it would go ahead.
Planning objections are among the reasons for pushing back the construction date of the Shannon LNG (liquid natural gas) project, near Tarbert, Co Kerry, according to an American trade magazine.
The starting date for the country’s first LNG terminal was to have been early this year, but it will now be 2010 or 2011, the Texas-based Industrial Info Resources reported.
Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess corporation, told the Irish Examiner they were committed to the project, but had a policy of not commenting on speculation. The company has said its terminal will secure the future of Ireland’s gas needs and will supply up to 60% of our natural gas requirements.
The deepwater estuary will enable around 125 tankers to bring gas in a liquified form from all over the world to the terminal, to be erected on a Shannon Development-owned industrial landbank.
When plans were first announced, in 2006, the company’s aim was to have the terminal operational by 2012, or 2013. The terminal, including two giant storage towers, is expected to take four years to construct.
While the project has been widely welcomed in the north Kerry area — one of the country’s unemployment black spots — some local concerns about safety and environmental issues have been voiced at a number of An Bord Pleanála planning hearings.
The project was fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála as strategic infrastructure last year. A court challenge also followed the decision to grant permission in March, but the case was later dismissed.
At the oral hearings, Shannon LNG moved to ease concerns about the safety of the project and the 25km gas pipeline that will connect the terminal with the national gas grid.
An oral hearing, in Listowel, was told a key condition of planning was that the gas must be moved by pipeline, not road, to link up with the national gas network, near Foynes, Co Limerick.
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG, said the pipeline was designed to the same standards as Bord Gáis pipelines, He described risks to people as “insignificant”.
He said pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
Mr Bowdoin further stated the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, to minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
Upwards of 600 jobs are expected to be provided during construction and 50 permanent positions when the terminal is in operation.
A planning decision on the pipeline is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Planning objections are among the reasons for pushing back the construction date of the Shannon LNG (liquid natural gas) project, near Tarbert, Co Kerry, according to an American trade magazine.
The starting date for the country’s first LNG terminal was to have been early this year, but it will now be 2010 or 2011, the Texas-based Industrial Info Resources reported.
Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess corporation, told the Irish Examiner they were committed to the project, but had a policy of not commenting on speculation. The company has said its terminal will secure the future of Ireland’s gas needs and will supply up to 60% of our natural gas requirements.
The deepwater estuary will enable around 125 tankers to bring gas in a liquified form from all over the world to the terminal, to be erected on a Shannon Development-owned industrial landbank.
When plans were first announced, in 2006, the company’s aim was to have the terminal operational by 2012, or 2013. The terminal, including two giant storage towers, is expected to take four years to construct.
While the project has been widely welcomed in the north Kerry area — one of the country’s unemployment black spots — some local concerns about safety and environmental issues have been voiced at a number of An Bord Pleanála planning hearings.
The project was fast-tracked to An Bord Pleanála as strategic infrastructure last year. A court challenge also followed the decision to grant permission in March, but the case was later dismissed.
At the oral hearings, Shannon LNG moved to ease concerns about the safety of the project and the 25km gas pipeline that will connect the terminal with the national gas grid.
An oral hearing, in Listowel, was told a key condition of planning was that the gas must be moved by pipeline, not road, to link up with the national gas network, near Foynes, Co Limerick.
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG, said the pipeline was designed to the same standards as Bord Gáis pipelines, He described risks to people as “insignificant”.
He said pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
Mr Bowdoin further stated the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, to minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
Upwards of 600 jobs are expected to be provided during construction and 50 permanent positions when the terminal is in operation.
A planning decision on the pipeline is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Brosnan voices grave concerns over gas terminal
ACTOR Pierce Brosnan, 55, has come out in support of a group opposing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal development near Tarbert, Co Kerry.
The James Bond and Remington Steele star has written to Kerry County Council’s planning department describing the Shannon LNG proposal as “gravely serious” and calling for a review.
An oral hearing into an application by Shannon LNG for a 26km pipeline that would connect a terminal in Tarbert with the national gas grid, at Foynes, Co Limerick, was held by An Bord Pleanála last week. The company gave firm assurances about the safety of the pipeline, saying risks to people living along the overland route were “insignificant”. They also said the pipeline was up to An Bord Gáis standards.
However, the 007 star, whose late father, Tom, came from Tralee, claimed the €500 million project had been fast-tracked and piecemealed. He also said no coherent assessment had been undertaken of the serious and significant risks to public health and safety.
In a letter, also signed by his wife Keely, Brosnan said the project demanded the utmost scrutiny and review.
The couple have already supported a successful campaign to prevent an LNG project from going ahead off the west coast of California, where they live.
After a four-year campaign and lengthy hearings, the plan was eventually vetoed by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Brosnans claimed the project would have polluted the community in violating air quality laws and posing serious risks to public health and safety in California.
Meanwhile, Johnny McElligott, of the Safety Before LNG group — the main opponent of the Tarbert proposal — last night said the Shannon LNG issue was “not over by a long shot”. He said there would be at least two more oral hearings and an application for a foreshore licence.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
The James Bond and Remington Steele star has written to Kerry County Council’s planning department describing the Shannon LNG proposal as “gravely serious” and calling for a review.
An oral hearing into an application by Shannon LNG for a 26km pipeline that would connect a terminal in Tarbert with the national gas grid, at Foynes, Co Limerick, was held by An Bord Pleanála last week. The company gave firm assurances about the safety of the pipeline, saying risks to people living along the overland route were “insignificant”. They also said the pipeline was up to An Bord Gáis standards.
However, the 007 star, whose late father, Tom, came from Tralee, claimed the €500 million project had been fast-tracked and piecemealed. He also said no coherent assessment had been undertaken of the serious and significant risks to public health and safety.
In a letter, also signed by his wife Keely, Brosnan said the project demanded the utmost scrutiny and review.
The couple have already supported a successful campaign to prevent an LNG project from going ahead off the west coast of California, where they live.
After a four-year campaign and lengthy hearings, the plan was eventually vetoed by California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Brosnans claimed the project would have polluted the community in violating air quality laws and posing serious risks to public health and safety in California.
Meanwhile, Johnny McElligott, of the Safety Before LNG group — the main opponent of the Tarbert proposal — last night said the Shannon LNG issue was “not over by a long shot”. He said there would be at least two more oral hearings and an application for a foreshore licence.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Pipeline risk to residents ‘insignificant’
THE promoters of a €500 million gas terminal on the Shannon estuary have given assurances about the safety of a 26km pipeline which will run across country from Tarbert, in Co Kerry, to Foynes, Co Limerick.
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG (liquefied natural gas), told an An Bord Pleanála hearing the pipeline was designed to the same standard as Bord Gáis pipelines.
Replying to concerns of people in north Kerry about the safety of pipeline, he described risks to people as “insignificant’.
Mr Bowdoin told the hearing in Listowel, pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
He also said the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
The €58m pipeline will connect the country’s first LNG terminal, in Tarbert, to the national grid, near Foynes.
In relation to safety concerns raised by the group, Safety Before LNG, Mr Bowdoin said the risk of accident was extremely low, due to the design and operation of the pipeline. Shannon LNG has agreed to make manuals available to communities along the pipeline route so they can monitor the situation and see that best practice is followed.
However, Dr Catherine McMullin of An Taisce said the pipeline would run through a section of rich fen in the townland of Doonard Upper.
This habitat had links with the highly-protected Annex 1 habitat of alkaline fens. She said the mitigation measures proposed by Shannon LNG seemed inadequate.
Johnny McElligott, of Safety Before LNG, said no provision had been made to link the pipeline with the Tarbert or Moneypoint power stations and he called on the hearing’s chairperson, Anne Marie O’Connor, to address that situation.
Other local residents said the project would bring life back to Tarbert and Ballylongford, pointing out that upwards of 100 jobs would created.
A decision is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Leon Bowdoin, engineering vice-president of Shannon LNG (liquefied natural gas), told an An Bord Pleanála hearing the pipeline was designed to the same standard as Bord Gáis pipelines.
Replying to concerns of people in north Kerry about the safety of pipeline, he described risks to people as “insignificant’.
Mr Bowdoin told the hearing in Listowel, pipelines were regarded as the safest and most reliable means of onshore, cross-country transport of large quantities of hazard product.
He also said the pipeline had been routed to avoid centres of population, minimise road and river crossings and to avoid areas liable to landslides.
The €58m pipeline will connect the country’s first LNG terminal, in Tarbert, to the national grid, near Foynes.
In relation to safety concerns raised by the group, Safety Before LNG, Mr Bowdoin said the risk of accident was extremely low, due to the design and operation of the pipeline. Shannon LNG has agreed to make manuals available to communities along the pipeline route so they can monitor the situation and see that best practice is followed.
However, Dr Catherine McMullin of An Taisce said the pipeline would run through a section of rich fen in the townland of Doonard Upper.
This habitat had links with the highly-protected Annex 1 habitat of alkaline fens. She said the mitigation measures proposed by Shannon LNG seemed inadequate.
Johnny McElligott, of Safety Before LNG, said no provision had been made to link the pipeline with the Tarbert or Moneypoint power stations and he called on the hearing’s chairperson, Anne Marie O’Connor, to address that situation.
Other local residents said the project would bring life back to Tarbert and Ballylongford, pointing out that upwards of 100 jobs would created.
A decision is due by February 18.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Pipeline wayleaves agreed with landowners, hearing told
WAYLEAVES have been agreed with most of 72 landowners along the route of a 25km gas pipeline that will link a new gas terminal, in Tarbert, Co Kerry, with the national gas grid, near Foynes, Co Limerick, an oral planning hearing has been told.
Land acquisition orders are being sought for five to six properties along the route, it was also disclosed at the An Bord Pleanála hearing, in Listowel.
The proposed pipeline, from the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, will cross 20 roads, three rivers, 11 streams, farmland and forestry.
After construction, a permanent “easement” of 14 metres will be required within which Shannon LNG — the company behind the €500 million project — will have rights to access the pipeline. Both the terminal and pipeline are considered strategic infrastructure which means they do not have to go through local authorities for planning and are considered directly by An Bord Pleanála.
A number of questions raised by the main objector, Safety Before LNG, were yesterday ruled out of order by the planning inspector presiding at the hearing, Anne Marie O’Connor, as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The chosen route of the pipeline is overland along the southern side of the Shannon Estuary, so as to avoid interference with the ecologically important estuary, a special protected area and a candidate Special Area of Conservation, according to Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess Corporation. Two possible routes, which would involve crossing the estuary, were looked at, but the line across land was also the cheapest of the three routes considered, the company said.
Questioned about soil disturbance on peaty areas during the laying of the pipeline, geologist John Redding, for Shannon LNG, said he had been involved in assessing other routes across peat including the Mayo-Galway gas pipeline. He said he was confident the pipeline would not produce instability.
Johnny McElligott, of the Safety Before LNG group, claimed there was no plan for the evacuation of people in the area in the event of an emergency occurring.
Mr McElligott also called for an assessment of risks of a gas spill on water from a moving vessel in the estuary. The hearing continues.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
Land acquisition orders are being sought for five to six properties along the route, it was also disclosed at the An Bord Pleanála hearing, in Listowel.
The proposed pipeline, from the country’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, will cross 20 roads, three rivers, 11 streams, farmland and forestry.
After construction, a permanent “easement” of 14 metres will be required within which Shannon LNG — the company behind the €500 million project — will have rights to access the pipeline. Both the terminal and pipeline are considered strategic infrastructure which means they do not have to go through local authorities for planning and are considered directly by An Bord Pleanála.
A number of questions raised by the main objector, Safety Before LNG, were yesterday ruled out of order by the planning inspector presiding at the hearing, Anne Marie O’Connor, as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The chosen route of the pipeline is overland along the southern side of the Shannon Estuary, so as to avoid interference with the ecologically important estuary, a special protected area and a candidate Special Area of Conservation, according to Shannon LNG, a subsidiary of the US Hess Corporation. Two possible routes, which would involve crossing the estuary, were looked at, but the line across land was also the cheapest of the three routes considered, the company said.
Questioned about soil disturbance on peaty areas during the laying of the pipeline, geologist John Redding, for Shannon LNG, said he had been involved in assessing other routes across peat including the Mayo-Galway gas pipeline. He said he was confident the pipeline would not produce instability.
Johnny McElligott, of the Safety Before LNG group, claimed there was no plan for the evacuation of people in the area in the event of an emergency occurring.
Mr McElligott also called for an assessment of risks of a gas spill on water from a moving vessel in the estuary. The hearing continues.
Irish Examiner
www.buckplanning.ie
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