Recent objections to the Energy Storage Facility in Ballydesmond has been making headlines in the news, but few realise that there is a much larger one planned for Caherdowney, which has been in for planning since this January.
Battery storage compounds capture surplus energy from wind farms during times of excess energy (high winds, nighttime) and release it back into the power grid during times of peak consumption.
The planning states: “a battery energy storage facility which will comprise of rechargeable battery units contained within up to 39 no. 40 foot containers on site and the associated development of unit substations, a 110kV substation, security fencing, security cameras, lightning mast, new site roads and the upgrading of the existing vehicular access. The facility will connect into the adjoining Ballyvouskill ESB substation via underground cable. All associated site development, landscaping and boundary treatment works above and below ground.”
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Wind energy storage plan for Cork-Kerry border faces objection (Irish Examiner)
Local fears over plans for battery storage plant near Ballydesmond (the Corkman)
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Planning Reference [Cork County Council]
- File Reference: 18/04182
- Applicant: Kinbrace Limited
- Development Address: Caherdowney, Millstreet, Co. Cork
- Development Description: A battery energy storage facility which will comprise of rechargeable battery units contained within up to 39 No. 40 foot containers on site and the associated development of unit substations, a 110 kV substation, security fencing, security cameras, lightning mast, new site roads and the upgrading of the existing vehicular access. The facility will connect into the adjoining Ballyvouskill ESB substation via underground cable. All associated site development, landscaping and boundary treatment works above and below ground.
- Application Type: Permission
- Status: New Further Information Received
- Application Received: Jan 24, 2018
- Decision Date: N/A
The location at Caherdowney is about 1km off the Millstreet-Macroom road. It is the field to the south-west of the ESB substation in the map above [MapAlerter]
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An example of an energy recycling facility
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June 2020: The windmill station at the top of Coom was connected to the Ballyvouskill 2020kV substation by 30km of underground cable which was lain in 2019, and due to open in June 2020. [t]
https://twitter.com/EdmondHussey/status/1267219407534796800
The planning application by Kinbrace Limited for 39 battery storage units is about to be followed by a second application for 40 battery storage units by Redfaze Limited of Lissarda, C. Cork. Redfaze have just received a ruling by An Bord Pleanala dated 30 May 2018 under Case No. PL04.301173 that a proposed development comprised of 40 no. battery container units, a 110kV substation and underground grid connection to Ballyvouskill substation is not strategic infrastructure.
http://www.pleanala.ie/documents/reports/301/R301173.pdf
This means that Redfaze are now free to apply directly to Cork County Council without going through the SID process. Watch out for fresh planning notices real soon!