The ongoing planning dispute between Castlemartin stud farm, owned by American billionaire John Malone, and the supporters of a proposed power plant in Co Kildare, Ireland, has taken a new turn. Strategic Power Projects Ltd (SPPL) has recently submitted revised plans to An Bord Pleanála, featuring updates to the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technology that promise enhanced safety for the power plant and the operating company.
It’s been over three years since SPPL first submitted their controversial BESS planning application for the plant in Dunnstown, near Two Mile House in Co Kildare, in May 2021. The application was subsequently denied by Kildare Co Council, following objections from several of the country’s top stud farms. The objectors included Sallymount and Gilltown studs owned by the Aga Khan, Malone’s Castlemartin Stud, the Irish National Stud and the Irish Thoroughbred Horsebreeders’ Association.
After being denied by the council, SPPL took their case to An Bord Pleanála, who granted them permission for the BESS in September 2022. However, a High Court judicial review initiated by local residents overturned this permission, and the case returned to the appeals board in May.
In their revised plans for the 222MW power plant submitted to An Bord Pleanála, SPPL’s planning consultant, Peter Thomson, explained the significant advances in BESS technology since their original application. Enhanced safety is now achievable thanks to improvements in battery design and chemistry. Consequently, the BESS will utilise Lithium iron phosphate batteries, a change from the originally proposed Lithium ion batteries.
Thomson pointed out that Lithium iron phosphate batteries mitigate the fire and safety concerns outlined in a previous report submitted to the board. He also noted that the initial proposal for 40-foot battery storage containers is now largely outdated and can be replaced with much smaller units, allowing for the same storage capacity in half the original BESS site space. This provides an “optimal layout and design,” according to Thomson.
Finally, Thomson acknowledged that since the initial permission grant was quashed, the council has now authorised planning permission for a house located 145 metres from the BESS.
Mr Thomson asserted that under the new proposition, there will be considerably diminished visual and sonic disturbances for the anticipated residents. The appeals board has informed all involved parties that its verdict would be delivered in December.