This article is from page 14 of the 2014-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
CLARE could be site of Ireland’s first ever waste-to-energy factory, as plans for a facility which would burn 300,000 tonnes of waste per annum have just been lodged with an Bord Pleanála.
The plans were lodged as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) with the planning authority last week by Limerick based company WTP Energy Limited.
The SID process allows companies to apply directly to an Bord Pleanála and work closely with the national planning authority if the project is deemed to be large enough and of a regional or national.
The proposed facility would use a process known as pyrolysis, which involves burning organic materials without the presence of oxygen.
The process can take place at temperature of as much as 550 degrees Celsius and is, according to a spokesperson from WTP Energy Limited, a cleaner from of waste-to-energy production than traditional incineration.
The company also claims that the factory will create more than 100 full time jobs when completed.
“The proposed facility will be using proven technology developed by TechTrade International GMBH, a German company which has advanced pyrolysis as a form of waste treatment worldwide, and will assist the State’s compliance with European Waste Directives as well as providing 100 full time employment positions directly,” said a WPT Energy spokesperson yesterday.
“The phrolysis process has been demonstrated to be considerably more efficient at converting waste to energy energy when compared to mass burn- ing incineration and achieves a more complete conversion to energy and also has lower associated emissions rates,” he added.
While the site has been listed as a County Clare site with the planning authority, the company confirmed yesterday that they don’t have an exact location in mind at this point and that possible locations in other counties will also be examined.
Should the proposal be granted SID status then Clare Council will not have a formal role to play in its planning.
“The pre-application consultation before an Bord Pleanála is to assess if the development proposal and process comes within the requirements for a strategic infrastructure proposal.
“A classification of strategic infrastructure results in an Bord Pleanála dealing with any subsequent planning application,” said a council spokesperson.
“The council understands that the proposal at this point is not site specific to Clare but has been listed under Clare County Council for administrative purposes only.
“This will be clarified when formal communication is received from an Bord Pleanála.”