S.I. No. 478/2022 - Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) Order 2022

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 30th September, 2022.

WHEREAS I, EAMON RYAN, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications –

(a) am satisfied that the carrying out of the development described in Part 1 of the Schedule proposed to be carried out by or on behalf of EirGrid, a statutory undertaker for the purposes of section 181 of the Planning and Development Act (No. 30 of 2000), is required by reason of an emergency being the serious risk of a temporary shortfall of supply of electricity, which risk has been identified by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities,

(b) have considered whether an environmental impact assessment or an appropriate assessment, or both such assessments, of the development so proposed to be carried out, is or are required and am satisfied, having had regard to Parts X and XAB of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000), that such assessment or assessments is or are required, and therefore am satisfied that an application to An Bord Pleanála for approval under section 181 (2A)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 is required,

(c) have made an application to An Bord Pleanála for approval under section 181 (2A)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 ,

(d) have obtained a decision of An Bord Pleanála under section 181 (2L)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 dated 13 September 2022 (Case reference: SA29N.313918 and Board Order ABP-313918-22) approving the development described in Part 1 of the Schedule, and

(e) have complied with section 181 (2)(aa) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 ,

NOW THEREFORE I, EAMON RYAN, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 181 (2)(a) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000), hereby make the following order:

1. This Order may be cited as the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Section 181(2)(a)) Order 2022.

2. The Planning and Development Act 2000 (No. 30 of 2000) (other than sections 50, 50A, 50B and 181 of that Act) shall not apply, pursuant to subsections (2) to (2AA) of section 181 of that Act, to the development described in Part 1 of the Schedule proposed to be carried out by or on behalf of EirGrid, a statutory undertaker for the purposes of section 181 of the Planning and Development Act (No. 30 of 2000).

SCHEDULE

Part 1

Site: The existing North Wall Power Generating Station, which is, for ease of reference, outlined in red on the maps set out in Part 2.

Address: Alexandra Road, Dublin 1

Description: Temporary emergency electricity generating plant to be provided within the existing North Wall Power Generating Station, and comprising:

Six 35-megawatt electrical nominal capacity gas turbine units of modular design. Each gas turbine module will include an 11-metre-tall stack, air intake filters, exhaust silencer and ancillaries;

Six control house modules (3.39 metres tall) and three power control modules (5.5 metres tall);

Three natural gas compressors (3.14 metres tall) each with an associated fin-fan cooler;

A 1,250 metre cubed water storage tank (14.5 metres tall) for potable and firefighting purposes together with associated pumphouse;

Two air compressors (2.5 metres tall), electrical reactors, pipe and cable racks;

Modifications to existing surface water drainage system;

Revised internal road layout and minor ancillary plant and equipment structures including bunded storage areas; and,

The demolition of existing structures including gas compressor building, decommissioned 38kV substation building, fuel oil pump house, gate keeper’s house, air inlet filter house and electrical house and other minor redundant installations.

The proposed development will also include necessary preliminary site works, civil and ancillary works required to enable the construction and operation of the facility.

Part 2

Site Location Map

Proposed Site Layout Plan

Proposed Site Demolition Plan

GIVEN under my Official Seal,

22 September, 2022.

EAMON RYAN,

Minister for the Environment,

Climate and Communications.