24/4026Granted
0.56 hectares site within ESB Aghada Generating Station Ballincarroonig Aghada Co Cork P25 XE94
The proposed development consists of the construction of a hydrogen production facility comprising a hydrogen compound and contractor’s compound with all associated site access and ancillary site development works. The proposed development will demonstrate the full chain hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage, usage on site via fuel cell and transport offsite to other sector hydrogen users. The proposed development is to be used for hydrogen production for an operational period of up to five years. The proposed development comprises: 1) 1 megawatt (MW) electrolyser including a water purification unit (40-foot (ft) container) (2.5m x 12.2m x 5.4m) with a stack height of 7.7m above ground level, 2) A transformer and control unit container (2.8m x 7.5m x 3.3m) housing a 6.6 kilovolt (kV) to 400kV transformer, 3) A storage container (2.8m x 6.4m x 3.3m), 4) A welfare unit (2.8m x 7.5m x 3.3m), 5) A compressor (20ft container) (2.7m x 6.4m x 4.3m), 6) 5 x 2.5kg low pressure (30 bar) hydrogen storage MCP units (manifolded cylinder pallets) (1m x 1m x 2.1m), 7) 3 x 19kg high pressure (300 bar) hydrogen storage MCP units (manifolded cylinder pallets) (1m x 1m x 2.1m), 8) 2 x 61kg low pressure (30 bar) nitrogen storage MCP units (manifolded cylinder pallets) (1m x 1m x 2.1m), 9) 2 x 31kg high pressure (300 bar) nitrogen storage MCP units (manifolded cylinder pallets) (1m x 1m x 2.1m), 10) 4 x 400kg (high pressure) mobile refuelling hydrogen storage vehicles, 11) 2 x 250 kilowatt (kW) hydrogen power units (2.7m x 7.3m x 5.4m), 12) Heavy goods vehicles (HGV) loading bays with 4m high walls, 13) A palisade fence enclosing the hydrogen compound (2.6m height). In addition to the above, planning permission is also sought for all ancillary site and development works to facilitate the development including the MCP filling area, internal site access road, 3 no. car parking spaces, 2 no. EV chargers, barrier, lighting and CCTV, drainage infrastructure and pipe racks/cable trays. After up to five years in operation, the decommissioning phase of the proposed development will comprise the removal of the electrolyser, transformer and control unit container, compressor, MCP units, mobile refuelling hydrogen storage vehicles, hydrogen power units, storage container and welfare unit from the site and removal of loading bay walls to level in line with the concrete yard. The contractors compound area will be reinstated to its present condition during decommissioning. It is proposed that all utility service connections and all other structures and installations on site including, but not limited to, the hydrogen compound fencing, concrete yard, lighting and CCTV will be retained on site in perpetuity. The proposed development consists of an activity for which an Industrial Emissions Licence is required. ESB Aghada Generating Station is a registered lower tier establishment under the Control of Major Accident Hazard (COMAH) Regulations, 2015. The development will consist of the provision of, or modifications to, an establishment within the meaning of Part 11 of the Planning and Development Regulations (Major Accidents Directive). A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) will be submitted to the planning authority with the application.Decision record indexedDecision05 March 2024View record