Decision this week on future of West Offaly Power Station

A decision is expected this week on whether the demolition of the existing West Offaly Power Station at Cloniffeen in Shannonbridge can proceed.

The ESB is seeking to replace the station with a battery energy storage system and a synchronous condenser.

If given planning approval the operation will be carried out in two phases. Phase 1 comprises the demolition of the existing site structures including the former West Offaly Power Station.

All buildings and structures will be demolished to ground level and the site will be reinstated and secured with boundary gates and fences.

Phase 2 comprises the development of the battery energy storage system. This will incorporate a 75MW capacity battery storage facility and will include up to 22 battery storage units. A 400 MVA synchronous condenser and a synchronous condenser building

Planning permission is sought for a duration of 10 years.

The application has attracted objections. Those objecting say the proposal by the ESB to demolish what they term as this essential energy generation facility at a time when this country and Europe is in the midst of an energy crisis with spiralling energy prices on a daily basis can only be deemed ''irresponsible and reckless by the ESB.''

They say there is an energy community being established with proposals to save this infrastructure which ''is an essential component of our unique industrial heritage. The electricity power generation plant can be retained in its present structure and can be repurposed to generate electricity and heating using a combination of low carbon biofuels and hydrogen.''

In their submission those objecting say the building energy generation amenity was originally built in the 1960s as a result of funds from Irish taxpayers at a cost of 2.5 million pounds and the power plant was only recently upgraded at a cost of 176 million euro.

This upgrade cost includes the upgrade to Lanesboro and Shannonbridge power stations. ''It is our understanding that a substantial amount of funds for this upgrade was provided from EU and other sources. We question if the ESB is prepared to refund this money which they received for the purpose of making the power stations more efficient.''

Continuing, the submission contends: ''The construction of this battery storage facility will have no long term benefit from an employment point of view to the local community as most of the employment will be temporary and only for the duration of construction of this facility. Once this facility is complete there will be minimal benefits to the local community as only a small number of people will be employed locally (if any). ''

Continuing they say that ''the local energy community proposal for this site will result in a substantial number of local people being employed many of whom have previously been employed at the power station. Also the local community will benefit as many of these small and marginal farmers in the area will have the opportunity to produce the raw materials required to power the generation of electricity and heat.''

A decision is expected on January 18.