SSE refused permission for oil-fired power plant in Ireland

• 4 years ago (2020-01-07)
• David Flin

Europe 1061 Gas engine plant 58

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Scottish energy company SSE has had planning permission refused for its plans to develop an oil-fired power generation plant at Platin, Co Meath, Ireland. Planning permission was refused due to concerns over greenhouse gas emissions.

The Irish quasi-judicial body An Bord Pleanála upheld an appeal by residents against Meath county council’s decision to approve construction of the 208MW open cycle gas turbine peaker power plant, voting 5-3 to refuse planning permission for the SSE plant. The Board said that while it found the site suitable for electricity generation, it decided that a plant operating on natural gas or other fuel sources was preferable to one running on distillate oil.

A spokesperson for SSE said: “SSE is disappointed with the decision to refuse planning permission. The development proposed would provide strategic support to the electricity system during peak times, helping to maintain security of supply in the area and acting as back-up power to renewable generation.”

The plant installation was due to add a new 110kV transmission substation and connect the peaker power plant to the national transmission grid system.