Lough Allen Conservation Association object to proposed battery storage facility

Lough Allen Conservation Association has lodged an objection with Roscommon County Council Planning Department with regard to an application by a company to develop a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on a 1.621 hectare site on the western shore of Lough Allen, Co Roscommon.

Mr Sean Wynne, Secretary of Lough Allen Conservation Association, has written to the Planning Department outlining a number of grounds for objection to the proposed development.

The proposed development is on the site of the former Arigna ESB Power Station which operated there from 1959 until its closure in 1993. It is owned by Hanney Properties Ltd, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Arigna LDES Limited, in its application, said it intends to apply for permission for the development of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) designed to provide system support services to the electricity grid at the townlands of Tawlaght and Srabragan, Lough Allen, Co Roscommon which lies along the R280 between the towns of Drumshanbo and Drumkeerin.

The proposal consists of the installation of 56 No. battery containers and medium voltage power stations (MVPS); construction of a new single-storey IPP building; new internal access roads, drainage, civil engineering works, landscaping, lighting, car parking, security fencing and all associated site work.

Mr Wynne said the group objects to the development on a number of grounds.

“The development is inappropriate and does not include sufficient safeguards for protection of the environment, human health, and animal health in an agricultural area on the shores of Lough Allen which supplies the water for the South Leitrim Water Scheme.

“We are concerned in relation to potential damage the proposal may have on the water and air pollution of Lough Allen area and the implications of the ESB, the previous owners, who may have carried out an Environmental Impact Study as the development is on the original site of Arigna Power Generating Station 15MW before selling it to a private concern.

“The soil/waste on the site is unstable and may lead directly to the pollution of Lough Allen if this project is given planning permission.

“The CEO of the ESB at the time Mr McManus was notified by registered post of the major issues in relation to the site and the dangers posed by the site to the water quality of Lough Allen and acknowledged in correspondence to us.

“Fire risk proposed by batteries within this development, particularly given the sites location beside an existing ESB substation and the danger to the local community.

“Water pollution potential and potential pollution of groundwater in an area which is at risk as the site is unstable with industrial waste from the ESB operation from 1959 to 1993 when the plant was dismantled.

“Increases potential pollution in an extreme groundwater vulnerability area as the site is unstable and should require an environmental impact study as part of the submission for planning.

“The proposal would be more appropriately located close to or alongside a renewable energy generation site and other co-location projects.

“The proposal is not the most energy efficient as conversion from DC to AC incurs a loss of power.

“The Lough Allen Basin is classified as very high value. The proposal would lead to the erosion of the rural character of the area, with detrimental impact on walking routes in proximity to the site and other tourist attractions in the wider area.

“The proposal is visually intrusive on the rural area given its industrial appearance and who will be legally responsible the owners or the project promoters.

“Noise impact - proposal does not allow for the combined effects of noise from the proposed development and the existing ESB sub-station. The noise predictions do not take into account change of electricity flow from import to export and vice versa.

“The proposal would adversely impact the residential amenity and quality of life of local residents and would be in conflict with the current use and future development of the surrounding area for tourism and recreation,” he concluded.