Development
Planning for Rathrush Green Energy Park
Consents and permitting
This project is classed as being “of scale and regional importance”. Consequently, it will be subject to planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) as well as an Industrial Emissions Directive Licence from the EPA.
The planning application will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) via the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) process. This process is similar to the normal Local Authority planning process in that it consists of the same components, documentation requirements and consultation process. Carlow County Council are a key stakeholder in the SID planning process as a prescribed body and will provide a submission and feedback to ACP on the application. The public has a full role in consultation on the planning application and can make submissions and observations directly to ACP. All planning documentation will be available on the SID project website along with any further information requests or clarifications requested.
The grant of planning provides for the construction and operation of the proposed facility.
This project falls under the remit of the EPA for its operational phase. In order to operate a facility of this nature and scale, an Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Licence will be required. Once planning is granted, an application will be submitted to the EPA seeking a licence to operate. This licencing process is again open to full consultation and submissions much like the planning aspect. The licence has a focus on the management, control and compliance with mandatory limits and thresholds for emissions, noise, water discharges etc. Across Ireland, large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical and energy facilities are operated under the IED licencing regime.
They are subject to stringent and safe operational requirements which have to be fully complied with.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also plays a key role in permitting and licensing the storage of fuels including hydrogen. Ireland's legislation is, in turn, compliant with EU law.
One of the most important measures is to ensure that projects storing fuels are located at a safe distance from nearby houses or receptors. The HSA sets out a formal process called the "Land Use Planning Risk Assessment". This is prepared by a specialist consultant who uses approved industry standard modelling and risk assessment tools to determine safe and low risk acceptable set back distances. This assessment is part of a wider and comprehensive Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances (COMAH) assessment which is mandatory for facilities of this nature.
The HSA routinely inspects COMAH establishments operating in Ireland. There are 49 comparable COMAH establishments already licenced and operating in Ireland, typically facilities such as power stations, oil distributors, mines, airports, pharma plants, distilleries and ports. These sites are located in both rural and urban environments. The HSA makes particular information on the establishments permanently available to the public. It can provide technical advice to planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála during the decision-making process.
This proposed facility at Rathrush will be in full compliance with all HSA, EPA and COMAH requirements and will be subject to continuous monitoring and compliance auditing.
Community engagement
The project is classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development and thereby, an application will be made to An Coimisiún Pleanála. There will be an extensive period of local community engagement ahead of determining the shape of the final application. It is our intention to work with our neighbours and deliver a project which will be a game-changer in terms of our grid, emissions, security of supply and generating economic gain as well as employment locally.
Timeline
Step 1
Site selection and feasibility
Step 2
Project lands identified
Step 3
Community consultation
Step 4
Stakeholder engagement
Step 5
Planning application preparation
Step 6
Planning submission
Contact us
Have your say
If you have any comments, questions or would like more information about the Rathrush Green Energy Park project at any stage, please get in touch through our Community Liaison Officer.
Contact us
Development
Planning for Rathrush Green Energy Park
Consents and permitting
This project is classed as being “of scale and regional importance”. Consequently, it will be subject to planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) as well as an Industrial Emissions Directive Licence from the EPA.
The planning application will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) via the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) process. This process is similar to the normal Local Authority planning process in that it consists of the same components, documentation requirements and consultation process. Carlow County Council are a key stakeholder in the SID planning process as a prescribed body and will provide a submission and feedback to ACP on the application. The public has a full role in consultation on the planning application and can make submissions and observations directly to ACP. All planning documentation will be available on the SID project website along with any further information requests or clarifications requested.
The grant of planning provides for the construction and operation of the proposed facility.
This project falls under the remit of the EPA for its operational phase. In order to operate a facility of this nature and scale, an Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Licence will be required. Once planning is granted, an application will be submitted to the EPA seeking a licence to operate. This licencing process is again open to full consultation and submissions much like the planning aspect. The licence has a focus on the management, control and compliance with mandatory limits and thresholds for emissions, noise, water discharges etc. Across Ireland, large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical and energy facilities are operated under the IED licencing regime.
They are subject to stringent and safe operational requirements which have to be fully complied with.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also plays a key role in permitting and licensing the storage of fuels including hydrogen. Ireland's legislation is, in turn, compliant with EU law.
One of the most important measures is to ensure that projects storing fuels are located at a safe distance from nearby houses or receptors. The HSA sets out a formal process called the "Land Use Planning Risk Assessment". This is prepared by a specialist consultant who uses approved industry standard modelling and risk assessment tools to determine safe and low risk acceptable set back distances. This assessment is part of a wider and comprehensive Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances (COMAH) assessment which is mandatory for facilities of this nature.
The HSA routinely inspects COMAH establishments operating in Ireland. There are 49 comparable COMAH establishments already licenced and operating in Ireland, typically facilities such as power stations, oil distributors, mines, airports, pharma plants, distilleries and ports. These sites are located in both rural and urban environments. The HSA makes particular information on the establishments permanently available to the public. It can provide technical advice to planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála during the decision-making process.
This proposed facility at Rathrush will be in full compliance with all HSA, EPA and COMAH requirements and will be subject to continuous monitoring and compliance auditing.
Community engagement
The project is classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development and thereby, an application will be made to An Coimisiún Pleanála. There will be an extensive period of local community engagement ahead of determining the shape of the final application. It is our intention to work with our neighbours and deliver a project which will be a game-changer in terms of our grid, emissions, security of supply and generating economic gain as well as employment locally.
Timeline
Step 1
Site selection and feasibility
Step 2
Project lands identified
Step 3
Community consultation
Step 4
Stakeholder engagement
Step 5
Planning application preparation
Step 6
Planning submission
Contact us
Have your say
If you have any comments, questions or would like more information about the Rathrush Green Energy Park project at any stage, please get in touch through our Community Liaison Officer.
Contact us
Development
Planning for Rathrush Green Energy Park
Consents and permitting
This project is classed as being “of scale and regional importance”. Consequently, it will be subject to planning permission from An Coimisiún Pleanála (formerly An Bord Pleanála) as well as an Industrial Emissions Directive Licence from the EPA.
The planning application will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) via the Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) process. This process is similar to the normal Local Authority planning process in that it consists of the same components, documentation requirements and consultation process. Carlow County Council are a key stakeholder in the SID planning process as a prescribed body and will provide a submission and feedback to ACP on the application. The public has a full role in consultation on the planning application and can make submissions and observations directly to ACP. All planning documentation will be available on the SID project website along with any further information requests or clarifications requested.
The grant of planning provides for the construction and operation of the proposed facility.
This project falls under the remit of the EPA for its operational phase. In order to operate a facility of this nature and scale, an Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) Licence will be required. Once planning is granted, an application will be submitted to the EPA seeking a licence to operate. This licencing process is again open to full consultation and submissions much like the planning aspect. The licence has a focus on the management, control and compliance with mandatory limits and thresholds for emissions, noise, water discharges etc. Across Ireland, large-scale industrial, pharmaceutical and energy facilities are operated under the IED licencing regime.
They are subject to stringent and safe operational requirements which have to be fully complied with.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) also plays a key role in permitting and licensing the storage of fuels including hydrogen. Ireland's legislation is, in turn, compliant with EU law.
One of the most important measures is to ensure that projects storing fuels are located at a safe distance from nearby houses or receptors. The HSA sets out a formal process called the "Land Use Planning Risk Assessment". This is prepared by a specialist consultant who uses approved industry standard modelling and risk assessment tools to determine safe and low risk acceptable set back distances. This assessment is part of a wider and comprehensive Control of Major Accident Hazards involving Dangerous Substances (COMAH) assessment which is mandatory for facilities of this nature.
The HSA routinely inspects COMAH establishments operating in Ireland. There are 49 comparable COMAH establishments already licenced and operating in Ireland, typically facilities such as power stations, oil distributors, mines, airports, pharma plants, distilleries and ports. These sites are located in both rural and urban environments. The HSA makes particular information on the establishments permanently available to the public. It can provide technical advice to planning authorities and An Coimisiún Pleanála during the decision-making process.
This proposed facility at Rathrush will be in full compliance with all HSA, EPA and COMAH requirements and will be subject to continuous monitoring and compliance auditing.
Community engagement
The project is classified as Strategic Infrastructure Development and thereby, an application will be made to An Coimisiún Pleanála. There will be an extensive period of local community engagement ahead of determining the shape of the final application. It is our intention to work with our neighbours and deliver a project which will be a game-changer in terms of our grid, emissions, security of supply and generating economic gain as well as employment locally.
Timeline
Step 1
Site selection and feasibility
Step 2
Project lands identified
Step 3
Community consultation
Step 4
Stakeholder engagement
Step 5
Planning application preparation
Step 6
Planning submission
Contact us
Have your say
If you have any comments, questions or would like more information about the Rathrush Green Energy Park project at any stage, please get in touch through our Community Liaison Officer.
Contact us
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