Planning sought to connect Edenderry power station to national gas network

Move is seen as contributing to carbon emission reductions

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Gas Networks Ireland has lodged a planning application with An Coimisiún Pleanála for a major new underground gas pipeline linking Edenderry Power Station to the Dublin-to-Galway high-pressure gas transmission network.

The proposed pipeline, measuring approximately 23.65 kilometres in length, would run through parts of both Offaly and Meath.

It is being seen as a major step in the decarbonisation of the existing Edenderry plant, part of which is currently oil-fired.

The transition gas-fired operation will result in significant improvement in the greenhouse gas emissions, due to the lower carbon intensity of electricity generated from natural gas.

The connection of the power station to the gas grid will also allow for the power station to avail of the continued decarbonisation of the gas grid mix, through the ongoing integration of biomethane, and the future introduction of hydrogen gas.

A number of Offaly townlands are set to be affected by the route, including Clonmore, Roosk, Lenamarran, Jonestown, Mountwilson, Thornwell, Monasteroris, Rathmore, Drumcooly, Rathgreedan, Shean, Ballykilleen and Esker More.

According to the planning application, the development will consist primarily of an underground transmission pipeline together with an Above Ground Installation (AGI) and offtake site connected to the existing Edenderry Power Station.

The project includes a 300mm underground steel gas pipeline, a new AGI compound at Ballykilleen within the Edenderry Power Station site, and five temporary construction compounds along the route.

The AGI facility will contain specialist gas infrastructure including pressure reduction and monitoring equipment, together with associated access roads, fencing and ancillary works.

The route passes mainly through agricultural and unzoned greenfield lands, including sections of private lands and public roadway. Gas Networks Ireland stated that existing land uses along the route will remain largely unchanged following construction, with the exception of the footprint required for the AGI and offtake installation.

The application represents the latest development in the evolving future of Edenderry Power Station, which in recent years has shifted away from peat and towards biomass generation as part of broader decarbonisation efforts.

The wider site has also emerged as a significant energy hub, incorporating renewable energy projects including wind energy and battery energy storage systems, together with associated grid infrastructure, stockpile areas and administration facilities linked to the existing power station, which includes a large scale biomass generation station, in addition to the Edenderry power plant.

While the station continues to operate primarily as a biomass-fuelled facility, the proposed connection to the national gas network would support the transition of certain oil-fired generation elements to natural gas, a move expected to significantly reduce the carbon intensity of operations at the site.

The planning application relates to the Cushaling Peaker Plant, which currently relies solely on liquid fuel when operating. Providing a natural gas supply will allow the plant to operate in a dual-fuel configuration, with natural gas as the primary fuel and liquid fuel retained as a backup.

Under permissions already granted, the wider station complex was approved to increase biomass consumption from 300,000 tonnes annually to 530,000 tonnes per annum.

Existing electricity generation infrastructure, fuel handling systems and ancillary facilities are to remain in use, with no major changes proposed to the current site layout or access arrangements.

The planning application, Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement may be inspected free of charge during public opening hours for a period of seven weeks, commencing on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the offices of An Coimisiún Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, and Offaly County Council, Áras an Chontae, Charleville Road, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

The application may also be viewed or downloaded online at edenderrygaspipeline.ie.

The decision on the proposed gas pipeline will rest with An Coimisiún Pleanála following completion of the statutory planning assessment process.