Relief in Portumna area as Energy Storage Facility denied

THERE was relief in the Portumna area last week when it was announced that Planning Permission for a controversial Energy Storage Facility in the region had been denied.
The 34 sqkm site in Coolpowra, about five kilometres from the east Galway town, had been selected by Coolpowra Flex Gen Limited for the construction of a Long Duration Energy Storage (LDES)
The proposed development off the L8763 road would have been part of three interconnected projects which, together, would have been a power generator, substation and electricity storage facility. Applications for the other two aspects of the site are with An Bord Pleanála
The application for the Energy Storage site was made on 8 July and required the demolition and removal of an existing dwelling, outhouses and agricultural sheds.
The plan immediately began drawing criticism from locals, with over 100 people in the area submitting objections to Galway County Council in under two months.
An objection from Galway East TD and junior minister Anne Rabbitte stated:
"The potential environmental, visual, noise, health, and economic impacts far outweigh any perceived benefits."
One objection from Scoil Mhuire National School in nearby Ballyshrule claimed that planning approval would lead to the construction of "industrial scale facilities that are incompatible with the rural character of our community, which is rich in ecological diversity."
A local man living close to the proposed site objected on the grounds that he feared noise pollution during construction would impact his family.
Another submission came from the nearby Killimor Hurling Club, which stated that the club feared that the development would increase traffic through the village and on the L8763, both during construction and when employees drive to the finished site each day.
"The village of Killimor will not be able to deal with the volume and weight of traffic that is proposed as the street is too narrow. Many children walk to and from school along the paths in the village," the submission said.
Wild Ireland Defence, Portumna GAA and East Galway Next Gen CLG were among the groups that also made submissions.
Speaking to the Midland Tribune a local man said most people in the area are “delighted and relieved” by the news.
He said everyone is glad Galway County Council “did the right thing” but it was not the time to relax because the applications for the other two proposed energy developments are still with An Bord Pleanála. “We should remember,” he said, “that if An Bord Pleanála grants planning permission to these other two developments then Coolpowra Flex Gen Limited will be able to appeal last week's decision against it.” He said the struggle is not yet over.
The power generator station (gas burning) will, if it goes ahead in the Heathlawn / Gortlusky area (about three miles from Portumna, just off the N65 to Killimor), include three 45 metre high chimney stacks (which will each have the equivalent height of five two-storey houses); three diesel storage tanks (which will have a capacity of 7,333 cubic metres per tank); and 224 modular single storey lithium-ion battery enclosures (each battery enclosure will be the equivalent size to a shipping container).
There is a possibility, the local person pointed out, that this part of East Galway could eventually have two significant power stations, including the current power station in Tynagh (this 400MW gas-fired station is situated on the old Tynagh mine site); and the proposed Heathlawn/Gortlusky station. “Two power stations in the one area will have a huge impact on this very rural area,” he said, adding that some are worried about respiratory problems being caused by the burning of gas.
In June two public meetings were attended by the residents of Gortanumera and Killimor, where an initial committee was formed to address people's concerns.
The group is called the East Galway Gas Plant Concern Group and its Chairperson Paul Madden told the Tribune that the group is “cautiously optimistic” following Galway Co Co's planning denial last week. “Logic would say that something of this size and scale should be in an industrial zone not in a rural hinterland like East Galway.” He said An Bord Pleanála will make its decision about the gas fired plant in Heathlawn / Gortlusky in Mid January 2025.
“The Co Co denied permission for the Energy facility because the Portumna / Killimor (a narrow winding road which is notorious for accidents) would not be suitable for all the extra HGV traffic generated; and its proximity to Lough Derg, which is an area of conservation. Transport Infrastructure Ireland have also made an objection to the proposed gas-fired plant, on the grounds that the Portumna to Killimor road is not suitable.
“There are already eight giant chimneys in Shannonbridge. We are led to believe therefore that the government sees this part of Ireland, East Galway and West Offaly, as a dumping ground for the generation of electricity in order to power Data Centres.”
Paul added that the existing station in the old mine site in Tynagh has one tall chimney, about 30 to 40 metres in height, and plans to expand to three chimneys.