2460537
Permission is sought for Grid System Services Limited, applying for a 10 year permission to develop an Energy Storage System, which will connect to the nearby ESB Tonroe 110kV Electricity Substation on land at Ballyoughter, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon. The proposed development will have a projected life span of 35 years. The development will consist of the construction of 1) enclosed battery energy storage system within a site compound on a total of up to c.2.33 hectare site, to include: 1 no. single storey 110kV customer substation, control and switch rooms; up to 44 battery blocks on concrete support structures including heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC units); up to 11 transformer and inverter units; including access tracks and site entrance along existing roadway; associated electrical cabling and ducting; security gates, 2.6m palisade perimeter security fencing; CCTV system; landscaping works and all other associated ancillary infrastructure at
Core Refusal Reason
The Planning Authority identified significant concerns regarding the lack of locational justification, potential traffic safety impacts on a narrow local tertiary road serving a residential area, and insufficient technical data regarding fire safety and public health risks.
Decision Maker's Conclusion
- The proposed access route via a Local Tertiary road is deemed potentially unsuitable due to its limited carrying capacity and the fact that it traverses an established residential area.
- A robust locational and technical justification for the specific site is required, including an assessment of alternative sites and specific energy storage needs.
- Comprehensive details regarding public safety are outstanding, specifically a Fire Safety Assessment addressing fire/explosion risks and detailed battery specifications.