The proposed 450 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine in Co Louth was finally given the go ahead by An Bord Pleanala yesterday after a delay of several months.
The 14-acre site at Toomes is close to both a 220 kv connection to the national grid and to the N-S interconnector gas pipeline. It will be one of the biggest-ever power stations built in Ireland.
The power station will supply enough electricity for 230,000 homes, equivalent to 8pc of national peak demand, according to the group. Industry sources had described the proposed power station as “huge”.
However, in its decision the board ruled that prior to the commencement of development on the proposed power station site, Quinn must complete the construction of a new link road in the townlands of Cornagarvoge, County Monaghan and Toomes, County Louth between the R178 Regional Route and the LP1143 public road (Stonetown Road) and junctions incorporating sight-lines agreed with the planning authorities.
A spokesperson for Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources said it would “inappropriate to comment” on the decision at such an early stage while a spokesperson for the Quinn Group said the decision allows it to go ahead with the project.
The application for the power station had been made to An Bord Pleanala because the project qualifies as a strategic infrastructural development under the Planning and Development Act.