Site planning risk brief

A PERIOD OF 10 YEARS TO CONSTRUCT AND COMPLETE A SOLAR PV DEVELOPMENT WITH A TOTAL SITE AREA OF CIRCA 117.47 HECTARES, TO INCLUDE PV PANELS MOUNTED ON METAL FRAMES, NEW ACCESS TRACKS, UNDERGROUND CABLING, PERIMETER FENCING WITH CCTV CAMERAS, 22 NO. MV POWER STATIONS, TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION COMPOUNDS AND ALL ANCILLARY GRID INFRASTRUCTURE AND ASSOCIATED WORKS. THE SOLAR FARM WOULD BE OPERATIONAL FOR 40 YEARS

The development will consist of: A. A single storey extension to an existing single storey dwelling, B. A proposed new onsite effluent treatment system and percolation area, C. Upgrade of an existing agricultural vehicular entrance to residential use and closure of the existing residential entrance D. All other associated site development work

New site entrance arrangements, replacing the previously consented access points 3 and 4 approved under Planning Reference 21/598, together with associated internal access tracks, drainage systems and all related works

(RED III) a period of 10 years for a grid connection for the previously approved, but not yet constructed, solar energy development (Planning ref: 21/598). This will consist of installation of medium voltage (MV) electrical cabling between the solar arrays and the existing Philipstown 110kV substation, including a 8m section of cable within the R401 and a 56m section of overhead line and associated pole sets to facilitate crossing of the Figile River. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has been submitted as part of the application. This development is covered by the provisions of the Renewable Energy Directive III (Directive (EU) 2023/2413)

ALTERATIONS TO THE EXISTING 110KV CUSHALING SUBSTATION AND INCLUDES THE INSTALLATION OF 110KV AIS SWITCHGEAR WITH ASSOCIATED FOUNDATIONS, STEELWORK, SUPPORTS AND CONNECTORS AND ASSOCIATED WORKS

DEVELOPMENT AT EDENDERRY POWER PLANT. EDENDERRY POWER LIMITED CURRENTLY HAS PLANNING PERMISSION TO OPERATE EDENDERRY POWER PLANT AS A PEAT AND BIOMASS CO-FIRED POWER PLANT UNDER GRANT OF PLANNING PERMISSION (OFFALY COUNTY COUNCIL REGISTER REFERENCE - PL2/15/129, AN BORD PLEANÁLA REGISTER REFERENCE - PL 19.245295). THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WILL CONSIST OF THE CONTINUED OPERATION OF EDENDERRY POWER PLANT FROM THE BEGINNING OF 2024 TO THE END OF 2030 EXCLUSIVELY USING SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS FUEL. THE APPLICANT PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE VOLUME OF BIOMASS CONSUMED AT THE FACILITY FROM A CURRENT MAXIMUM OF 300,000 TO 530,000 TONNES PER ANNUM. IT IS PROPOSED TO UTILISE THE EXISTING PERMITTED ELECTRICITY GENERATION STATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING FUEL HANDLING SYSTEMS, UTILITIES, PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND ANCILLARY STRUCTURES AS PART OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE PRESENT ON-SITE. SITE ACCESS AND EGRESS WILL USE THE EXISTING PERMITTED SITE ENTRANCES TO THE R401 PUBLIC ROAD. THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE PERMITTED BOUNDARY OF THE FACILITY. EDENDERRY POWER PLANT IS LICENCED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY UNDER AN INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS (IE) LICENCE [REF. P0482-04]. ACTIVITIES AT THE FACILITY AND ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS AND EMISSIONS WILL CONTINUE TO BE REGULATED AND CONTROLLED BY THE EPA. THE PLANNING APPLICATION IS ACCOMPANIED BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT (EIAR). THE PLANNING APPLICATION IS ALSO ACCOMPANIED BY A NATURA IMPACT STATEMENT (NIS)