Published: Friday, 22nd January, 2010 11:29am

Decision on Ferbane power plant due in March

A decision on a planning application for a new gas-fired electricity generating station in Ferbane is due to be made in March after An Bord Pleanála held an oral hearing to consider the application this week.

The hearing on the proposed plans by Offaly company Lumcloon Energy was held on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Tullamore Court Hotel. The proposal from the company would provide employment for up to 500 people over a two-year construction period, with up to 50 full-time jobs when in operation. A submission was made by An Taisce outlining its national policy on gas power stations, while the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board sought clarifications on the environmental impacts to rivers.

In general, the proposal is supported by Offaly County Council and the local residents' association. There have been no formal objections to the development. A decision from An Board Pleanála is due by March 10.

Other bodies notified of the application were the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the NRA, the EPA, the HSE and the HSA, The Heritage Council, Chomahairle Ealaíon and Fáilte Ireland.

The new 350mw plant is designed to provide support for development of wind energy. It will provide virtually an instant supply of power during periods of low wind power generation or a sudden increase in consumer demand during cold weather.

The backers behind the Lumcloon plans are highlighting what they say are a number of major advantages from a planning perspective at the hearing.

"We are confident that this project will bring a much needed boost to the local economy and supply energy in a clean and efficient way at a time when older, less efficient and environmentally damaging power plants in the region are coming to the end of operation," said Nigel Reams of Lumcloon Energy.

The Lumcloon plant is part of a new generation of flexible generation facilities required to operate at high efficiency when electricity demand is high. It will be able to reach full power within minutes if wind generated power falls.