Planning authority's decision on big Buncrana battery storage farm on hold
An Coimisiún Pleanála, which had been due to issue a decision in April, said the project is still under investigation by its inspector
An Coimisiún Pleanála has further delayed its decision on whether to uphold or dismiss planning permission for the big battery storage plant at Ballynahone near Buncrana.
In November last year, Donegal County Council approved an application from FuturEnergy – a joint enterprise formed by semi-state companies ESB and Coillte – for the first iron-air battery storage system of its kind in Europe.
Permission was given for a ‘Long Duration Energy Storage Facility’ covering a seven-acre site and comprising 248 metal storage containers housing batteries that can store up to 1,000MW of power for release to the national grid when the wind doesn't blow on turbines and the sun doesn't shine on solar panels.
However, objections from local residents through the Buncrana/Fahan Against Untested Battery Storage Group and serial environmental objector Peter Sweetman were lodged with the national planning authority in December.
An Coimisiún Pleanála initially said it would make a decision by the end of April, however that was put back to 20 August which has now come and gone.
The commission told Donegallive this week that the case is still under investigation by an inspector, and the planning commissioners are awaiting on the completion of their report and recommendation.
No decision has yet been made on a request for an oral hearing into the project.
The spokesperson for An Coimisiún said it will endeavour to decide on the case as soon as possible.