Planning application lodged for hydrogen power plant in Cork Harbour

Cork County Council is expected to make a decision by early March on a planning application that could pave the way for a hydrogen power plant to be developed in Aghada, on the eastern side of Cork Harbour.

ESB, which lodged the application for planning permission with the authority during the week has described the proposal, if green-lighted, as a ‘first step’ in its plan to create a ‘hydrogen lighthouse around Ireland'.

The utility plans to use the hydrogen plant as a demonstration site to illustrate how renewable energy can be produced using hydrogen.

Hydrogen power is produced by the electrolysis of water and while its supporters claim it could completely revolutionise clean energy as it eliminates emissions by using renewable energy, its critics say its an inefficient way to produce power.

The site for the proposed plant is on property owned by ESB at its Aghada plant. Currently undeveloped the site spans half a hectare.

In the documents submitted to Cork County Council KPMG Future Analytics, who prepared the application on behalf of ESB, said the development would consist of a 1 megawatt (MW) electrolyser including a water purification unit, a transformer and control unit and other ancillary equipment and facilities.

“The proposed development consists of the construction of a hydrogen production facility comprising a hydrogen compound and contractor’s compound with all associate site access and ancillary site development works" reads the application. 

“The proposed development will demonstrate the full chain hydrogen production via electrolysis, storage, usage on site via fuel cell and transport offsite to other sector hydrogen users. The proposed development is to be used for hydrogen production for an operational period of up to five years.” 

After five years, the plant will be decommissioned, it is proposed.

The Irish Government published its Hydrogen Strategy in July of last year and, at the time, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan described renewable energy as ‘a zero carbon fuel’ that could play a key role in the ‘difficult to decarbonise’ sectors of the economy where other solutions were not feasible.

“Ireland has the natural resources to become a world leader in the production of green energy,” said Minister Ryan, describing the country’s wind resources as ‘amongst the best in the world’.

“Hydrogen represents one of the best ways of capturing these resources," said Minister Ryan..

“If Ireland can harness the opportunities offered by renewable hydrogen, we can achieve our goals of a zero-carbon, secure energy system and potentially become an exporter to the emerging hydrogen markets establishing across Europe.” 

Submissions can be made in relation to the planning application by the public up to February 13 and the decision is due on March 5.