SSE applies for permission to develop new biofuel energy plant in Kerry, to run on HVO.
SSE, the UK-headquartered vitality utility big, has submitted a planning software to remodel its Tarbert Energy Station in Co Kerry right into a facility that runs on sustainable biofuels.
The vitality firm’s Irish subsidiary, SSE Thermal, submitted the appliance to An Bord Pleanála to develop the 350 megawatt energy station. The ability will initially run on the sustainable biofuel often called Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and has the potential to transform to hydrogen.
Catherine Uncooked, managing director of SSE Thermal, stated Tarbert has a protracted historical past of energy technology and hopes to proceed that by delivering this “necessary venture”.
Catherine Uncooked, managing director of SSE Thermal, stated:
“arbert Subsequent Technology Energy Station has the potential to offer a transparent bridge to a low-carbon future whereas defending the safety of vitality provide and offering important back-up during times of peak demand.
“We stay up for our proposals progressing by means of the planning course of, and we hope for an end result that may assist us ship an everlasting, cleaner and lower-carbon vitality supply for County Kerry and past.”
In keeping with the planning software, seen by the Sunday Impartial, the Tarbert plant will make use of round 14 folks, with a “excessive diploma of automation” concerned.
HVO is produced by remodeling waste oils right into a non-fossil-based oil different to diesel and gives a lower-carbon choice for unabated energy technology.
Sources say HVO has a decrease greenhouse gasoline emissions profile throughout its lifetime than choices reminiscent of diesel or pure gasoline combustion.
SSE’s current Tarbert Energy Station is required to shut this 12 months consistent with its environmental licence.
It’s understood an enhanced redundancy course of was negotiated and agreed with members of workers on the facility. Following the conclusion of the session, 23 members of workers have both left the enterprise or will quickly, whereas 13 folks have been retained.
The Sunday Impartial first reported on SSE’s plans for Tarbert in March. It additionally explored choices for growing one other HVO energy station in Platin, Co Meath.
Each provisionally secured 10-year capability agreements within the T-4 Capability Public sale to start within the 2026/27 supply 12 months.
SSE Thermal can be supporting the Irish authorities on a 150MW Momentary Emergency Technology venture at Tarbert.
Individually, final week on the Hydrogen Eire Annual Convention, David Kelly, a director of Gasoline Networks Eire, spoke a few new report from ongoing analysis into hydrogen use in Eire.
David Kelly, director of Gasoline Networks Eire stated:
Our newest analysis concerned over 300 of the most important customers of networked gasoline within the nation and located that 90pc of the tip customers’ gear is appropriate with blends of 20pc hydrogen.
“The outcomes are important because it offers a sign of how prepared Eire is for blended hydrogen, which is prone to be on the gasoline community within the UK inside a number of years.”
Paul McCormack, director of Hydrogen Eire, stated:
Inexperienced hydrogen was the vitality equal of the Swiss military knife” in the course of the occasion.
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SSE applies for permission to develop new biofuel energy plant in Kerry, December 2, 2023
