SSE applies for permission to develop new biofuel power plant in Kerry, to run on HVO.
SSE, the UK-headquartered energy utility giant, has submitted a planning application to transform its Tarbert Power Station in Co Kerry into a facility that runs on sustainable biofuels.
The energy company’s Irish subsidiary, SSE Thermal, submitted the application to An Bord Pleanála to develop the 350 megawatt power station. The facility will initially run on the sustainable biofuel known as Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and has the potential to convert to hydrogen.
Catherine Raw, managing director of SSE Thermal, said Tarbert has a long history of power generation and hopes to continue that by delivering this “important project”.
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Catherine Raw, managing director of SSE Thermal, said:
“arbert Next Generation Power Station has the potential to provide a clear bridge to a low-carbon future while protecting the security of energy supply and providing essential back-up during periods of peak demand.
“We look forward to our proposals progressing through the planning process, and we hope for an outcome that will help us deliver an enduring, cleaner and lower-carbon energy source for County Kerry and beyond.”
According to the planning application, seen by the Sunday Independent, the Tarbert plant will employ around 14 people, with a “high degree of automation” involved.
HVO is produced by transforming waste oils into a non-fossil-based oil alternative to diesel and offers a lower-carbon option for unabated power generation.
Sources say HVO has a lower greenhouse gas emissions profile across its lifetime than options such as diesel or natural gas combustion.
SSE’s existing Tarbert Power Station is required to close this year in line with its environmental licence.
It is understood an enhanced redundancy process was negotiated and agreed with members of staff at the facility. Following the conclusion of the consultation, 23 members of staff have either left the business or will soon, while 13 people have been retained.
The Sunday Independent first reported on SSE’s plans for Tarbert in March. It also explored options for developing another HVO power station in Platin, Co Meath.
Both provisionally secured 10-year capacity agreements in the T-4 Capacity Auction to begin in the 2026/27 delivery year.
SSE Thermal is also supporting the Irish authorities on a 150MW Temporary Emergency Generation project at Tarbert.
Separately, last week at the Hydrogen Ireland Annual Conference, David Kelly, a director of Gas Networks Ireland, spoke about a new report from ongoing research into hydrogen use in Ireland.
David Kelly, director of Gas Networks Ireland said:
Our latest research involved over 300 of the largest users of networked gas in the country and found that 90pc of the end users’ equipment is compatible with blends of 20pc hydrogen.
“The results are significant as it gives an indication of how ready Ireland is for blended hydrogen, which is likely to be on the gas network in the UK within several years.”
Paul McCormack, director of Hydrogen Ireland, said:
Green hydrogen was the energy equivalent of the Swiss army knife” during the event.
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SSE applies for permission to develop new biofuel power plant in Kerry, December 2, 2023
