Gas turbine plant being considered for Kildare

A KILDARE firm has taken initial steps to develop an Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) plant.
Cultaca has applied to build a gas turbine electricity generator in Redbog near the Kildare/Wicklow border.

Because of the complexity of the plan, the firm has bypassed Kildare County Council and applied straight to An Coimisiún Pleanala for permission to build the 385Mw open cycle gas turbine seeking ‘a pre-application consultation’.

These consultations relate to potential Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) applications.

An OCGT plan burn natural gas to spin a turbine that generates electricity and are becoming more popular as fast-start peaking plants to back up wind and solar energy.

A decision on the consultation for the power plant is expected by August.

“Kildare County Council can advise that the ‘pre-application consultation’ relates to a potential Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) application which may be made directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála under Section 37E of the Planning and Development Act 2000,” said a council spokesperson.

“If an application is lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála, Kildare County Council would be a statutory prescribed body as provided for under the Act.

“Queries regarding this ‘pre-application consultation’ should be directed to An Coimisiún Pleanála as the determining planning authority in this instance”.