Planning permission upheld for battery storage development 

Planning permission has been upheld for a battery energy storage development in the county.

An Coimisiun Pleanála recently gave the greenlight for a battery energy storage system (BESS) at Tawlaght & Srabragan, Lough Allen, subject to revised conditions. The development includes 56 battery containers and power stations, as well as building, roads, and drainage works, and will have planning permission for 30 years from the date of its first commissioning.

The application was granted permission by the council and had attracted a number of objections from local organisations and residents, citing concerns about the possible impact on the environment and animal and human health.

The application, which was brought by Arigna LDES Limited to the council for the development at the site of the former Arigna ESB Power Station in December 2023, was granted permission in November 2024. The site was formerly used as a coal fired power station which operated between 1959 until 1993, after which the plant was closed-down and decommissioned.

The Lough Allen Conservation Association subsequently appealed the application, citing a number of reasons, including alleging that the application lacked expert reports and that community engagement was lacking. The group also alleged that the disposal of spent batteries had not been considered. It also cited concerns about the possible impact on the natural environment due to possible toxic gas emissions, fire, and explosion, and possible contamination of the land, homes, and animals. The planning regulator’s inspection report found that the “proposed development is acceptable in terms of ecology and biodiversity, subject to the implementation of the recommended mitigation measures”.

“The applicant will retain trees and hedgerows along the external boundaries of the site which will help screen the development. Subject to adequate landscaping, the proposal would not have an adverse impact on the visual amenities of the area,” the report said. It added that given the temporary nature of potential construction impacts, and the mitigation proposed, the development would not have a significant impact on traffic or other road users.

The inspector also noted that the developer provided “a comprehensive evaluation and review of the potential for fire hazard, fire risk, and that they set out appropriate mitigation and response protocol as part of the proposed development”.

The inspector also noted that the commission engaged the services of external consultants to provide an independent expert opinion on the proposed fire safety measures to be implemented.