Galway County Council refuses permission for battery energy storage plant at Coolpowra Cooldorragha Gortlusky Ballynaheskeragh, Co. Galway

In context

It is one of 3 battery storage applications Galway County Council has received in the past twelve months, against 58 nationally. Of the 72 such applications decided by councils in the past three years, 78% were granted.

What happens next

The applicant, or anyone who made a submission on the application, can appeal the decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála within four weeks of 30 August 2024. If no appeal is lodged, the council’s decision stands and a final grant issues.

The development description, as lodged

Verbatim from the Galway County Council register. This is the source for every figure in the story above.

for; (1) a Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES) facility contained within a secure outdoor compound (area of 34,855sqm), (2) a Synchronous Condenser (SC)positioned within a building and located within a second secure outdoor compound (area of 9,716sqm) on lands to the south of the LDES facility, and (3) demolition and removal of an existing dwelling, outhouses and agricultural sheds. The LDES facility comprises: (i) an open area battery energy storage system containing 168no. single storey battery enclosures and 56no. single storey medium voltage power station (MVPS) enclosures, (ii) IPP building, (iii) firewater storage tank, (iv) lightning masts and (v) electrical plant and bunded transformer. The SC facility comprises (i) a SC building, (ii) externally located cooling fans, (iii) firewater storage tank, (iv) lightning masts, (v) ESB rural supply compound, and (vi) bunded transformers and electrical plant. Both the LDES and SC facilities will electrically connect to the 400kV electricity grid using HV underground cables which will route from the respective LDES and SC compounds to a proposed Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation located adjacent to the ESS development. The proposed GIS associated HV cables and electric plant are the subject of a separate and concurrent strategic infrastructure development (SID) planning application to An Bord Pleanála under Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). The proposed ESS development includes a temporary construction compound, a main entrance connecting to the L8763 public road, improvement works to the L8763 and the junction of the N65/L8763 public roads and all ancillary development including new internal roads, fencing and gates, car parking, lighting, utilities, lightning protection masts, underground services, landscaping and associated engineering works to provide for the connection of site services and foul and surface water management and drainage. The proposed ESS development is also located adjacent to a proposed Reserve Gas-Fired Generator which is the subject of a separate and concurrent SID planning application being made to An Bord Pleanála under Section 37E of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). Planning permission is being sought for a period of 10 years. An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) are included in this application. Gross floor space of proposed works: 1,389.00 sqm and 750 sqm for demolition