21/6856

Minor modifications and reconfigurations to the previously permitted Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) development (Cork County Council Reg Ref. 19/04891), primarily comprising: (1) Updated layout of the substation compound based on revised electrical requirements to facilitate grid connection; (2) revised battery equipment based on updated battery technology; and (3) ancillary equipment to support the BESS development. The amended design incorporates: a 159 MW capacity BESS facility located within a secured compound, on a c. 3.3 Ha site, and will include: (a) 36 No. battery container unit arrangements on concrete plinths (95 sq.m.; height of 3m); (b) 36 No. inverter / transformer / RMU unit arrangements on concrete plinths (50 sq.m.; height of 4.2m); (c) a substation compound surrounded by a 2.6 m high palisade fence with a dedicated access gate containing: 2 No. control building (c. 240 sq.m. 5.1m high ) and electrical plant including: 2 No. bunded house transformers (c. 200 sq.m. surrounded by 8m high fire wall); 2 No. bunded house transformers (c. 19.8 sq.m. surrounded by 3 m high fire wall) and 2 No. VAR support units on concrete plinths (24 sq.m., 3.4 m high); (d) a 2.6 m high palisade fence and access gate, with primary access via the existing station and internal roadway network and temporary access via the existing boundary onto the R630; (e) ancillary plant equipment and structures including lightning masts (c. 18 m high) and pole mounted CCTV cameras (c. 8.3 m high) and ancillary site works including site clearance works and the installation of site services including underground cables. The planning permission is being sought for a 10 year duration. Licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency under an Industrial Emissions (IE) License [Ref. P0561-05] and a Lower Tier COMAH site and therefore falls under the requirements of the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH) Regulations, 2015.