Work progressing on large-scale pyrolysis facility outside Tullamore

WORK is progressing on a large-scale pyrolysis facility at Derryclure outside Tullamore.

The plant was first granted permission in 2011 and will be used for the recovery of energy from biomass and waste.

In 2021 the Derryclure Energy Centre was described as the largest of its kind in the world by TSK, the Spanish company tasked with the design, supply and commissioning of the waste pyrolysis plant for the value of €65 million euro.

At the time TSK announced that the plant,''represents a new milestone within the European framework of development and energy transition towards a circular economy model, avoiding the disposal of processed waste in landfills and making it possible to generate electricity from it.'' However,TSK who were employed by C6 WtE Ireland 1 Holdings (participated by the US companies Gen2Power, Green Waste Energy and the Irish company Glanpower) has said it is no longer involved with the project.

In 2020 Bord na Mona said it would supply thousands of tons of organic rubbish to the energy plant. However, they are also no longer involved.

The plant was first announced in 2010 when it promised 200 construction jobs and an estimated annual boost to the midlands economy of €5 - €8 million.

Other benefits included incentives to local biomass producers worth €2 million per annum, investment in local community projects of €100,000, and knock-on benefits such as eco-tourism worth €4 million per annum to the midlands economy into the future.

In January 2011, Offaly County Council gave permission for the facility to proceed. However, an appeal was lodged with An Bord Pleanala, by a number of residents living near the site who had fears about possible emissions.

An Bord Pleanala upheld the council's decision and gave the green light to Glanpower Limited to develop the advanced pyrolysis system for the recovery of energy from biomass and waste.

The approximate output was announced at the time to be six megawatts of renewable electricity for export to the national grid. The building was to consist of an enclosed energy fuel recovery area, treatment area and have 19 and 30 metre stacks.

The facility will utilise a system known as Pyrolysis to process organic material, converting it into forms of usable energy that can be consumed at the source, or supplied to customers via the electricity grid.