Coolpowra GIS
Coolpowra FlexGen Limited is applying for planning permission for the construction of a 400kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) electricity substation and High Voltage (HV) transmission lines /cables and electric plant which will connect to the existing 400kV electricity network at the Oldstreet 400kV AIS substation.
The proposed GIS electricity substation location is adjacent to a proposed Reserve Gas-Fired Generator Project and an Energy Storage System (ESS) Project, which are subject to separate concurrent planning applications with An Bord Pleanála and Galway County Council respectively, and this application includes the associated HV transmission lines /cables and electric plant which connect these projects to the proposed GIS electricity substation.
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The application follows a determination received from An Bord Pleanála confirming the proposed development constitutes Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) pursuant to Section 182A of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended.
It is a requirement of the Board that the applicant creates a specific website to include all of the application documentation.
The application site has a total area of c. 42.3 hectares.
The proposed development will include: (i) demolition and removal of an existing dwelling, outhouses and agricultural sheds; (ii) a two-storey GIS substation building containing battery room, WC, messroom, workshop, generator room, stair cores, cable pits, storeroom, and switchgear rooms within a fenced compound; (iii) HV circuits which will connect the proposed 400kV GIS substation to the existing 400kV network and a 220kV circuit via an overhead lattice steel gantry; (iv) HV circuits which will run from the proposed 400kV GIS substation and connect to a proposed Reserve Gas-Fired Generator Project and an Energy Storage System (ESS) Project (these projects are under separate concurrent planning applications); (v) a 36.0m high communications tower; (vi) a palisade fence to GIS compound perimeter; (vii) a temporary construction compound; (viii) a main entrance connecting to the L8763 public road, (ix) improvement works to the junction of the N65/L8763 public roads, (x) all ancillary development including new internal roads, fencing and gates, car parking, lighting, utilities, lightning protection masts, underground services, landscaping and associated engineering works to provide for the connection of site services and foul and surface water management and drainage.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared in respect of the proposed development.