Sligo challenge for proposed green energy plant

A PROPOSAL to develop a major green energy plant is to be outlined to local councillors on Thursday.
Sean Daly of the Carbon Sole Group is to give a briefing on the possible development of a green energy facility in Shannon, which would deliver a significant amount of local jobs, with much employment also resulting from the plant’s construction.
It’s understood that Shannon is the favoured location, although the Carbon Sole Group has looked at other locations in the West of Ireland.
Representatives of Carbon Sole previously met with Sligo councillors, as Sligo is its second favoured location. Following the Sligo meeting, it was reported the facility would have a cost of €65 million and would generate a spend of €15 million a year. It was also estimated that 40 to 50 direct jobs would be created at the plant, with another 150 in haulage and forestry, with around 150 during the construction phase.
Pat Stephens of the Limerick Clare Energy Agency said that Shannon would be a very good location for the type of facility that is proposed.
“There have been a number of proposals to develop a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant in Shannon, that would use local biomass. There have been a few people that have made proposals but there hasn’t been a formal application yet. Shannon would be very attractive for it because there is industrial, commercial and residential in a short radius and it has the airport,” Mr Stephens said.
Mr Stephens said that if such a facility were developed, it would be an advantage in getting companies to invest in Shannon. “One of the advantages of having a biomass/CHP plant in Shannon would be that it would provide low carbon, secure, clean energy to local businesses. This ability to provide a low-carbon centre of commerce is a significant attractor for Foreign Direct Investment.”
He said a major investment would be needed in the project and depending on the amount, it would probably take in the region of 10 years for it to be recouped. If the facility were to go ahead, he said the fuel would probably be sourced in the region, giving a significant economic boost.
Local representatives said they are interested in learning more about the proposals.
“It sounds like an interesting and an exciting project and it is something that will need to be considered carefully,” said Town and County Councillor Patricia McCarthy. Senator Tony Mulcahy also said that the proposal was “very interesting”.
Mr Stephens said the type of proposal in question works well in other jurisdictions. “The concept is very common in Europe so this is taking a well tried and tested concept and applying it in Clare. Shannon is a place that would have ideal infrastructure for this and it is very well laid out for it,” he concluded.