Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material

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   301 County Development Plan Objective ET 13-13 Other Wind Energy Development Consider proposals where it can be shown that significant impacts on the following can be avoided: • Residential amenity particularly in respect of noise, shadow flicker and visual impact; • Urban areas and Metropolitan/Town Green Belts; • Sites designated for nature conservation, protected species, and habitats of conservation value; • Architectural and archaeological heritage: and; • Visual quality of the landscape and the degree to which impacts are highly visible over wider areas. 13.8 Solar Energy 13.8.1 In recent years Solar energy technologies have become more effective and in return have become more viable including solar panels/ tubes on roof spaces and commercial development of solar farms through storage facilities. The three main forms of solar energy are Passive Solar (e.g. Building Design), Solar Thermal (e.g. direct solar water heating) and Active Solar (e.g. generation of electricity through photovoltaic cells). 13.8.2 There is significant potential through careful building design to generate heat from solar energies such as Passive Solar Design and Solar Thermal Water Heating. The use of passive solar design will reduce carbon emissions while solar water heating will generate carbon free heat. On-site energy consumption can significantly reduce energy costs and lower the demand on the grid network. At present these technologies are used to varying degrees in Cork, via use in new buildings or through retro fitting on older buildings. This form of electricity generation has positive local impacts for the building users. The Council will continue to support and facilitate the development of solar energy, encourage passive solar design and solar water heating in new buildings and in retrofitting buildings. In addition, where possible, the installation of solar power in public buildings, including schools will be encouraged. 13.8.3 Photovoltaic (PV) is the generation of electricity from light and can vary significantly in scale. In essence, photovoltaic systems use daylight (not necessarily direct sunlight) to convert solar radiation into electricity. The technology can be used for domestic as well as larger industrial or commercial applications. Large solar farms technology has rapidly improved in recent years and can potentially affect the landscape and natural and built heritage. Large solar farms have potential to be built on agricultural land and leave room for a hybrid land use by allowing farming practices to co-locate with the ground mounted solar panels. 13.8.4 Many solar farms have been permitted across the country but to date none have been developed in the Republic of Ireland, due to the cost of the technology, the lack of direct financial support, constraints with the landscape, ecology and affects to human habitation. In County Cork, planning permission has been granted for forty-seven solar farms up to 2019, with a potential capacity for 408MW of renewable electricity should they be commissioned. Until 2020, the primary support mechanism for renewable electricity are the REFIT (Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff) schemes. Solar Energy has not qualified for REFIT in Ireland and has delayed solar energy development till now. The first recent RESS 1 auction in August 2020, has approved 82 renewable energy projects with one being a solar farm in East Cork. 13.8.5 At present, there are no national planning guidelines to guide the future development of solar farm proposals. In the absence of same, the Council will assess the appropriateness of individual applications received having regard to all other statutory requirements and guidelines, environmental sensitivity factors (if any) of the application-site, similar development guidance internationally, and the overall proper planning and sustainable development of the area. Proposals for solar farms should consider a range of issues, including, but not limited to, the following: • Landscape character; • Layout of the proposal including the scale of land cover, panel height, landscaping, road access, noise, etc: • Site suitability – lands of high environmental / biodiversity value are not generally suitable for such development while brownfield land may be suitable: • Drainage and flooding, • Environment; • Visual and landscape impact; • The effects of glint and glare on neighbouring sites and transportation routes, • Grid connections, In particular grid connections with the potential to impact on the strategic function of the national road network should be discussed and agreed with Transport infrastructure Ireland and should use alternative available routes where feasible in the first instance. • Fencing, lighting, and security, • Storage and maintenance, GO TO CONTENTS

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   302 • Ecology and protection of habitats and species, • Traffic and noise impacts, • Ensuring Heritage assets are conserved appropriately and consider how or if any implications a large wind farm may have on these sites, • Cumulative impacts; • Decommissioning and how the land can be restored to its previous use. 13.8.6 From the outset, Cork County Council recommends early consultation with the Planning Authority and the local community for such projects. The local community should be engaged, by the developer, at the pre-design, conceptual stage, ideally utilising a local exhibition / presentation where community views can be sought and recorded. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-14: Solar Farm Development a) In recognition of national targets and commitments to significantly increase renewable energy production, support will be given to solar farm projects at appropriate locations, where such development does not have a negative impact on the surrounding environment, landscape, historic buildings, or local amenities. b) Promote the development of solar energy infrastructure in the county, in particular for on-site energy use, including solar PV, solar thermal and seasonal storage technologies. Such projects will be considered subject to environmental safeguards and the protection of natural or built heritage features, biodiversity views and prospects. c) Require that new solar farm development proposals be assessed against the criteria listed in this Plan until such time as Section 28 Guidelines on Solar Farm Developments from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are published to supersede same. d) Encourage the use of passive solar design principles for residential building(s) in line with relevant design criteria. e) Support and encourage the installation of solar collectors and panels for the production of heat or electricity in residential and commercial buildings, in line with relevant design criteria. f) All proposed solar developments locating in close proximity to any roads and airport infrastructure will undergo a full glint and glare assessment. g) Proposals for development of new solar developments and associated infrastructure including grid connections will be subject to ecological impact assessment and, where necessary Appropriate Assessment, with a view to ensuring the avoidance of negative impacts on designated sites, protected species and on-sites or locations of significant ecological value. 13.9 Other Renewable Energy Hydro Power 13.9.1 Large scale hydro-electricity generation in County Cork has been in existence since the development in the 1950’s of the Lee Hydro schemes. The Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid power stations have a combined capacity of 27MW. 13.9.2 There are three Methods for the generation of hydroelectricity including Run-of-the-river, Impoundment Schemes and Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHES). The Planning Authority recognise the importance of renewable energy storage, particularly pumped freshwater hydro energy storage, in helping to meet targets in respect of renewable electricity generation. Hydroelectricity plays an important role in electricity management in the national grid as additional electricity can be brought in swiftly from hydro plants during times of high demand. 13.9.3 Pumped Hydroelectric Storage (PHES) is the most mature and largest storage technique available. A pumped hydroelectric energy scheme is a mechanical device for storing energy. The facility accepts energy from the electricity grid when production exceeds demand; energy is stored in the form of water; it is pumped from the lower elevation reservoir to a higher elevation reservoir. Then it delivers energy back to the grid when demand if high and production is low by releasing the water back into the lower reservoir through a turbine. PHES acts to regulate the energy load of the national grid, it can allow extra wind capacity to be added to the grid without sacrificing the reliability of power supplies. It also avoids the wastage of wind energy by utilising this energy when it is produced at off-peak times. Furthermore, it can facilitate instant coverage of peak load demand on account of its large storage capacity. An example of this technology in Ireland is Turlough Hill in County Wicklow, which uses fresh water. However, it has been acknowledged that sea water can also be used. 13.9.4 In determining applications for Small-Scale Hydro Electric Schemes the recommendations of “Guidelines on the Planning, Design, Construction & Operation of Small Scale Hydro-Electric Schemes and Fisheries in 2007” (The Central GO TO CONTENTS

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   303 and Regional Fisheries Board) which sets out the possible impacts of small scale hydro developments and best practice in the development and assessment hydro schemes will be taken into consideration. 13.9.5 Larger scale schemes, whilst delivering significant benefits, may have environmental impacts which may include; • Impact on water quality, water courses / bodies and water dependent habitats and species. • Landscape or visual impact; • Geological/groundwater impacts; • Ecological impacts; • Noise during construction and operation. 13.9.6 It is acknowledged that using water to generate power has the potential to negatively impact on water quality, water courses / bodies and water dependent habitats and species. All proposals for hydro power will therefore need to be subject to environmental and ecological assessment as appropriate and demonstrate that significant adverse impacts can be avoided. Large scale proposals will need to include a landscape assessment. 13.9.7 The Council will aim to promote and encourage technologies which will contribute towards national heating targets for renewable energy and a reduction in carbon emissions, subject to the constraints outlined above. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-15 Hydro Electricity Support the sustainable development of hydroelectric power generation, pumped hydroelectric storage and small hydro power developments, especially when developed in combination with other forms of renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind energy. New development proposals must be designed to be compatible with the requirements of the Habitats, Birds, Water Framework and Floods Directives and must also be designed to avoid significant impacts on protected species, as well as on-sites and locations of ecological sensitivity. Geothermal Energy 13.9.8 Geothermal Energy is available from the air, the soil, ground water, rivers, streams, and lakes. Geothermal energy is heat generated and stored in the Earth and can be harnessed from both shallow and deep drilling. This natural heat energy can heat a building with assistance from a heat pump. The principal impacts can concern ground excavation, which may be inappropriate in or near nature conservation/archaeological areas, impacts on groundwater and noise/visual impact from pumps. Offshore Renewable Energy and Ocean Energy 13.9.9 Offshore Renewable Energy refers to the wave, tidal and wind (fixed and floating) energy resources available in the seas around Ireland. Fixed offshore wind technology has reached a stage of commercial viability, while floating wind turbines, wave and tidal technology are still at the experimental stage globally. Ireland’s Offshore Renewable Energy Development Plan 2014 (OREDP) has identified Ireland’s coast as one of the most energy productive in Europe, with a long-term potential of 70 GW of ocean energy opportunity (wind, wave and tidal) within 100 KM of the Irish coastline. The OREDP is currently under review and once published, the new targets will be noted. The development of offshore renewables will be plan-led in the context of the National Marine Planning Framework. A new Development Management consent system is also provided for by the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021. 13.9.10 The Climate Action Plan 2021 has set a target for the generation of 3.5 GW of offshore renewable energy by 2030 and highlights in Actions 25, 26, and 27, the need to support offshore renewables. The Programme for Government and Climate Action Plan 2021 has increased this target to 5GW of offshore renewable energy by 2030. To date Ireland has only one offshore wind farm with six turbines off the coast of Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Seven further offshore wind projects are currently progressing through the site investigation / feasibility / pre- planning process in Ireland, off the coast of Louth, Dublin, Wicklow and Galway. 13.9.11 The National Marine Planning Framework indicates that a new spatial system of designation of marine zones for specific activities including off shore energy will be rolled out in the future. The areas will be designated by government. 13.9.12 Off -shore energy can be supported with the development of appropriate land side facilities and infrastructure at harbour locations to facilitate the assembly and deployment of the turbines and long-term maintenance activities. The assembly and deployment operation would require clear open space for the operation of cranes and specialist equipment as well of water access and dock facilities. In the long-term there may be manufacturing opportunities for Cork associated with the off shore energy sector (turbines or related parts and equipment). GO TO CONTENTS

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   304 13.9.13 Ocean Energy refers to electricity extracted from the waves and tides (tidal current or tidal barrage). The SEAI/Marine Institute Wave Energy Atlas indicate that the west coast of Ireland has considerable resources in relation to tidal and wave energy. Ireland’s Ocean resources are critical to delivering the target of generating our 70% of electricity in the state from renewable energy by 2030. Wave energy devices are at an early stage of development in Ireland and there are no wave energy devices supplying electricity to the transmission network in Ireland. A number of constraints have delayed the development of this resource. On the other hand, tidal is much further along in progress in Ireland. The nature of tidal streams allows tidal energy extraction reliable and predictable. The two main types of tidal devices are tidal barrage systems and tidal stream flow turbines. 13.9.15 It is recognised that offshore energy projects have the potential for adverse impacts on the marine and terrestrial environment and other users of the marine environment. They can also offer positive environmental and community benefits including mitigating climate change and socio-economic benefits for coastal communities. Impacts and benefits will vary with the technology used, scale of the infrastructure and its geographic location. The Government has indicated that it will prepare statutory marine guidelines to support best practice, including a specific requirement for visualisation assessment. These guidelines are awaited. To date national guidance has been published in relation to the preparation of Marine Baseline Ecological Assessments and Monitoring Activities of Offshore Renewable Energy Projects, and in relation to the preparation of EIS and NIS for Offshore Renewable Energy Projects. 13.9.16 County Cork has significant infrastructure which is either in place or being developed which will support the development of ocean and off shore wind energy. Cork Harbour and Castletownbere/ Bere Island port/dry dock facilities have significant potential to service future ocean and off shore wind energy developments. Improvements to the electricity grid may be required to support the development of offshore electricity generation. 13.9.17 The Marine and Energy Research Cluster Ireland (iMERC) has been established to promote Ireland and Cork as a maritime and energy research and development location. The Hydraulics and Maritime Research Centre (HMRC) at University College Cork is a centre of excellence for ocean renewables and coastal engineering. The HMRC houses the National Ocean Test Facility and has facilities for wave simulation with a wave flume and an ocean wave basin. The facilities in place in Ringaskiddy is making Cork a world class hub of marine renewables and offshore research and training. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-16: Ocean and Off-shore Wind Energy Support the appropriate development of ocean and offshore wind energy production off the Cork Coast by ensuring adequate provision of land-based infrastructure in line with national policy, and in a way that avoids significant adverse impacts on-sites of ecological value and protects the wider environmental, heritage, landscape and marine resources of the area. The need for land-based infrastructure to support the assembly, deployment, and maintenance of the off shore energy structures is recognised, as is the need for an integrated approach to the use and management of the coastal zone and coastal resources. 13.10 Bioenergy 13.10.1 Bioenergy is the general term used to denote renewable energy derived from organic matter. Bioenergy sources include, waste and residues from agriculture (including vegetable and animal substances), forestry and related industries including fisheries and aquaculture, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste. The Bioenergy sector as a means of generating electricity, heat and transport fuel will play a key role in the delivery of renewable heat and renewable transport targets. Bioenergy can be categorised into three sub-groups: biomass, bioliquids and biofuels. 13.10.2 Biomass can be derived from two main streams, specifically grown energy crops and organic residues or waste. Cork, as in Ireland as a whole, has a significant bioenergy potential in the form of agricultural land, forestry, recycled waste from municipal and domestic treatment plants, agriculture, and industrial sources. All these sources can be used to generate electricity, refined into fuel for the transport sector, provide heating/cooling for the building sector or as a source for biochemical raw materials for Irish industry. 13.10.3 Both Bioliquids and Biofuels may be defined as the ‘liquid fuel for energy purposes other than for transport, including electricity and heating and cooling, produced from biomass’. Bioliquid sources include vegetable oils (rapeseed, soya, and palm), animal fats and used cooking oils. The liquids may be used to produce heating, cooling, and electrical energy. In Biofuel production, a number of conversion techniques are used to produce biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane. 13.10.4 Anaerobic Digestion (AD) uses bacteria to convert organic material such as agricultural, household, and industrial residues and sewage sludge into bio-gas with high methane context in the absence of oxygen. The methane can be used to produce heat, electricity, a combination of the two or a transport fuel, thereby contributing to renewable energy targets across the three main sectors and ensuring security of energy supply by reducing reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying the national fuel mix. Landfill Gas can be collected at landfill sites and then combusted to extract its energy value which can be used to generate electricity, or for heating or vehicle fuel. GO TO CONTENTS

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   305 13.10.5 It is envisaged that the bioenergy sector as a means of generating electricity, heat and transport fuel will grow significantly over the life of this plan and will play a key role in the delivery of our renewable heat and renewable transport targets. RSES aims to develop a Bioenergy Implementation plan for the region noted in RPO 109 in conjunction with local authorities and the Regional Waste Management Office. The Southern Region Waste Management Plan 2015-2021 outlines policy for the management of waste arising in the region. The DCCAE is currently preparing a National Bioenergy Plan, outlining the demand for biomass from indigenous sources could deliver significant economic and employment benefits and it is expected that biomass will make a significant contribution to the heat and transport sectors. 13.10.6 The production of bioenergy fuels on a commercial scale often requires large scale buildings for plant and involves activities that are similar to many other process or manufacturing industries. Often, the preferable location for these processes is well separated from residential areas and on land zoned for industrial uses in local area plans or on suitable ‘brownfield’ sites. The requirement to bring raw materials to the site and to take the finished product away to its market often raises traffic and amenity issues in the surrounding area. County Development Plan Objective ET 1-17: Bioenergy a) Encourage the development of commercial bioenergy plants on brownfield sites which are adjacent to industrial areas or on lands which are reserved for industrial uses or on brownfield sites in rural areas. The Council may consider other lands for bioenergy production where the applicant has suitably demonstrated a location specific need for the type and scale of facility proposed and there is no adverse environmental or ecological impact on surrounding land, air, water and properties. b) Commercial bioenergy plants should be located close to the energy source and the point of demand, where they can be served by public roads with sufficient capacity to absorb increased traffic flows and adjacent to transport corridors. c) In rural areas, consideration will be given to proposals for bioenergy developments located close to the source material and where the road network in the area has capacity to absorb increased traffic flows. Such plants should, where possible, be located in proximity to existing agricultural buildings. d) In all cases, visual, noise, odour, and amenity impact on adjacent properties, uses and amenity areas and wider cumulative impacts will be key considerations when assessing any such proposals. 13.11 Hydrogen Energy 13.11.1 Hydrogen is not a source of energy but an energy carrier and must be produced from another substance and stored before use. It can be found in water, hydrocarbons, and organic matter. In its simplest form, Hydrogen is an odourless, invisible non-toxic gas, which is becoming a major part of the clean energy mix in Europe and will be key to the decarbonisation of our economy. A Hydrogen Strategy for a Climate-Neutral Europe’ outlines the European Commission’s objectives to increase hydrogen production and use. The strategy aims for Europe to have ‘at least 6 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolysers in the EU by 2024 and 40 GW of renewable hydrogen electrolysers by 2030’. 13.11.2. At present, there is no national policy for the production of hydrogen in Ireland, but the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working with various stakeholders to develop a pathway for hydrogen use in Ireland. The Department of Transport is also in the advanced stages of testing hydrogen as a fuel to power buses as part of Department of Transport’s Low Emission Bus Trial. It is anticipated that it will be advanced further to power other vehicles in the future. 13.11.3 The sources of hydrogen can vary and are divided into nine different colour codes, depending on the source and the process used to make it. Naming conventions can also vary across different countries. At its simplest, Grey Hydrogen is produced from fossil fuels, while Blue Hydrogen is a refinement of Grey Hydrogen where the carbon dioxide emitted during production is captured and stored way (carbon capture and storage). Green hydrogen is a low or zero emission hydrogen produced using clean energy sources. 13.11.4 Hydrogen can be stored as a gas when under high pressure and as a liquid under low pressure. It can be used as a fuel, energy carrier or for storing energy and has many possible applications across industry, transport, power and the building sectors. Another positive benefit to the use of blue and green hydrogen is that it does not emit CO2 and has very little air pollution. There is potential for Ireland to produce green hydrogen as a by- product from offshore wind and help decarbonise key sectors such as heavy vehicles and maritime traffic. 13.11.5 Green Hydrogen, also known as clean hydrogen, has the potential to replace the use of fossil fuels in the energy mix, supporting progress to carbon neutrality, particularly in the transport and heating sectors. There are several challenges in the way of transitioning completely to green hydrogen which include storage, transport, costs and availability of infrastructure and deployment, so it will take time for the transition to occur. Until then, Ireland may need to rely on blue hydrogen to scale up and increase the supply and demand of hydrogen energy. GO TO CONTENTS

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   306 County Development Plan Objective ET 13-18: Hydrogen Energy Support the sustainable development of hydrogen energy at suitable locations across the county, and in accordance with the other objectives of this plan, as part of the overall clean energy mix for the county and to support decarbonisation. 13.12 Gas Storage 13.12.1 Gas Storage is an activity that allows for the storing of gas during periods of low demand (e.g. summer months) in large- scale storage reservoirs, then accessing that gas when demand increases. There is limited gas storage capacity in Ireland. Up until 2017 Kinsale Energy operated the only offshore natural gas storage facility utilising the depleted south west Kinsale Gas Field. 13.12.2 Gas Network Ireland and EirGrid conducted a study into Ireland’s resilience to a long-term gas disruption, which includes the need for gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The study will help form future policy measures to maintain Ireland’s gas and electricity supply and the study found that Ireland’s gas network is largely resilient to cope with a long duration gas disruption in the medium to long term. Cork Harbour or Kinsale Gas Field have been highlighted as possible locations for an LNG terminal in Ireland. 13.12.3 Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) applied to hydrogen generation from hydrocarbons can create an emission-free fuel for industry, transport, and heating, creating potential for large-scale emissions reductions from sectors that may be difficult to decarbonise otherwise. In 2020 the European Commission published ‘A Hydrogen Strategy for a climateneutral Europe’ which presents the plans to boost hydrogen production and use in Europe. Hydrogen is described as ‘essential’ in supporting carbon- neutrality goals. 13.12.4 CCS is a technology chain that forms a third pillar, along with renewable energy efficiency, to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. It works by removing CO2 from the pre- or post- combustion exhaust gas of power stations and other industrial processes and injecting it into underground geological reservoirs of porous rock for permanent storage. CCS applied to hydrogen generation from hydrocarbons can create an emission-free fuel for industry, transport, and heating, creating potential for large-scale emissions reductions from sectors that may be difficult to decarbonise otherwise. 13.12.5 CCS technology has been limited this far but has the potential to be a bridging technology that could support the transition to a low carbon economy. RPO 104 Energy Storage and Carbon Capture in RSES supports this form of infrastructure in the region. To date, all geological storage in Ireland has been offshore. The depleted Kinsale Head gas field has been identified as an area for potential CCS storage. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-19: Gas Storage Support the potential provision for Gas Storage and particularly Carbon Capture and Storage development in Cork having regard for existing infrastructure available, and where practicable, feasible and sustainable within the county. 13.13 Combined Heat and Power 13.13.1 Combined Heat and Power (CHP): Comprises a technology that uses the energy produced in the combustion of fuel to produce both useful heat energy and electricity. CHP can refer to gas-fired CHP or biomass CHP. In many scenarios, CHP increases the total amount of useful energy that is produced from a fuel when it is burned. 13.13.2 Following power generation, the waste energy from CHP is used to create heat, which can then be used to heat the spaces in buildings, (radiators/ under floor heating), or enable a building to be cooled. CHP can provide a secure and efficient method of generating electricity and heat at the point of use and therefore works particularly well in high density or built up areas where there is a constant need for supply. The Council will support the development of CHP where viable and having regard to considerations of proper planning and sustainable development. 13.14 District Heating 13.14.1 District Heating: is a system for distributing heating comprising of a boiler which generates hot water and a network of connected underground pipes to distribute the hot water. Where practical, the County Council will facilitate district heating in new developments and retrofitting of existing buildings throughout the county. GO TO CONTENTS

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   307 13.15 Further Renewable Energy Considerations Building Energy Efficiency and Conservation 13.15.1 Heating and operation of buildings represent a significant proportion of Ireland’s total energy consumption. EU Directives in 2002 and 2010 as amended by Directive 2018/844/EU (EPBD) on the Energy Performance of Buildings contain a range of provisions aimed at improving energy performance of residential and non-residential buildings, both new build and existing. These directives assist the long-term EU strategy to decarbonise the economy and be climate neutral by 2050 in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement (2015). 13.15.2 The 2010 Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings, as amended by Directive 2018/844/EU (EPBD), places a requirement on Member States to include a Building Energy Rating (BER) as a means of assisting in reducing energy usage and CO2 emissions. The Planning Authority will seek to promote the use of energy-efficient methods in the design of new developments. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-20: Building Energy Efficiency and Conservation Require innovative new building design and retrofitting of existing buildings, to improve building energy efficiency, reduce embodied energy, energy conservation and the use of renewable energy sources in accordance with national regulations and policy requirements. Energy Storage 13.15.3 Renewable energy sources have vast potential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this many of the resources have intermittent or variable output, therefore if they are not harnessed the energy goes to waste. As a result, there is an increasing need for energy storage when demand is low, to be utilised when demand is high. Energy storage technologies are growing rapidly, offer significant potential, offer opportunities to integrate different forms of renewables, and improve security in the energy supply. The EU’s Energy Roadmap 2050 confirms that storage technologies remain critical, and that future integration of RES-E will depend on increased storage capacity. The typical energy storage technologies include Pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES), Battery Energy storage, Heat/Thermal Energy Storage (TES), Electrical Storage heaters and heat pumps. 13.15.4 Battery Energy storage can be integrated with renewable energy generation systems in either grid connected or standalone applications. For grid connected systems, batteries add value to intermittent renewable sources by facilitating a better match between supply and demand. Other benefits of this method of energy storage include power quality assurance, load levelling and integration of renewable energy generation plants. There are no emissions, solid wastes or effluent produced from these battery storage systems. There three important types of large-scale Battery Energy Storage BES. These are Lead-Acid (LA), Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd), Sodium Sulphur (NaS). These operate in the same way as conventional batteries, except on a larger scale. 13.15.5 Energy storage will give the opportunity for rural communities and islands off the coast of Ireland to be self-sufficient with a secure energy supply of renewable energy and not dependent on the national grid. Cork County Council will continue to support energy storage technologies as we aim to achieve our renewable energy targets and become a carbon neutral economy. Decarbonising Zones 13.15.6 The Council supports the Climate Action Plan 2021 requiring local authorities to identify and develop plans for a Decarbonising Zone in Cork County during this Plan period. See Chapter 17 Climate Action for details. Renewable Energy in Transport 13.15.7 The Council will promote energy efficiency in transport in line with national policy set out by the Government and the Transport and Mobility chapter in this Plan. In May 2017, the National Policy Framework on Alternative Fuels for Transport in Ireland 2017 to 2030 was published, setting out ambitions that by 2030, all new cars and vans sold Ireland will be zero emissions. There are a number of charging points around the county. During the lifetime of this Plan, the council will promote further EV charge point installation across the county to charge EV vehicles. The Climate Action Plan recognises the need to increase the renewable biofuel use in motor vehicles. RPO 93 from RSES aims to develop the CNG fuelling network to support the uptake of CNG vehicles. GO TO CONTENTS

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   308 13.15.8 Furthermore, the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy (2020) prepared by the National Transport Authority (NTA) in collaboration with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), Cork City Council and Cork County Council, seeks to ensure primacy for transport options that provide for unit reductions in carbon emissions. This can most effectively be done by promoting public transport, walking, and cycling, and by actively seeking to reduce car use in circumstances where alternative options are available. The Transport Strategy also supports the electrification of rail services that would result in higher performance, lower maintenance costs, lower energy costs and reduced emissions with particular reference to the Cork commuter rail services long term consideration for the electrification of commuter rail lines between Mallow, Cobh and Midleton. It is important to recognise that this strategy has been prepared for Metropolitan Cork only and does not consider the whole county. During the course of this Plan, the Council aims to achieve a reduction in use of the private car and seeks to promote sustainable transport modes as viable choices outside of Metropolitan Cork also through integrating land use and transport and implementing the Avoid-Shift-Improve framework. See Chapter 12 Transport and Mobility for more details. 13.16 Transmission Network Electricity Network 13.16.1 The provision of a secure and reliable electricity transmission infrastructure and transmission grid is essential to meet the growth in demand and ensure that a reliable electricity supply is available. Cork has a very strong electrical grid and substation network and this network will be instrumental in supporting the development of the renewable energy industry in the county. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-21: Electricity Network a) Support and facilitate the sustainable development, upgrade and expansion of the electricity transmission grid, storage, and distribution network infrastructure. b) Support the sustainable development of the grid including strategic energy corridors and distribution networks in the region to international standards. c) Facilitate where practical and feasible, infrastructure connections to wind farms, solar farms, and other renewable energy sources subject to normal proper planning considerations. d) Proposals for development which would be likely to have a significant effect on nature conservation-sites and/or habitats or species of high conservation value will only be approved if it can be ascertained, by means of an Appropriate Assessment or other ecological assessment, that the integrity of these sites will not be adversely affected. Transmission Network 13.16.2 EirGrid Group is the semi state company responsible for managing and operating the electricity transmission grid across the island of Ireland. The network includes high voltage lines that bring power from generators and supply wholesale energy to heavy users. The grid also supplies the electricity distribution network. EirGrid is responsible for a safe, secure, and reliable supply of electricity. 13.16.3 The siting of overhead power lines can have a significant impact on the visual character of an area. Proposals for connections to renewable energy developments should where practical be fully assessed as part of the renewable energy application. When processing applications involving the siting of electricity power lines and other overhead cables, the following should be considered: • Avoid areas of high value landscape where practical; • Avoid sites and areas of nature conservation and archaeological interest; • Minimise their visual impact; • Consider the use of underground technology in areas of special sensitivity where appropriate. The best option (underground or over ground) for each particular site will be chosen having regard to the particular conditions or sensitivities pertaining to the site. GO TO CONTENTS

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   309 County Development Plan Objective ET 13-22: Transmission Network a) To co-operate and liaise with statutory and other energy providers in relation to power generation in order to ensure adequate power capacity for the existing and future needs of the County including business and residential demands. b) Proposals for new electricity transmission networks will need to consider the feasibility of undergrounding or the use of alternative routes especially in landscape character areas that have been evaluated as being of high landscape sensitivity. This is to ensure that the provision of new transmission networks can be managed in terms of their physical and visual impact on both the natural and built environment and the conservation value of European sites. c) Proposals for development which would be likely to have a significant effect on nature conservation-sites and/or habitats or species of high conservation value will only be approved if it can be ascertained, by means of an Appropriate Assessment or other ecological assessment, that the integrity of these sites will not be adversely affected. Celtic Interconnector 13.16.4 The Celtic Interconnector is a proposed electrical link, which if built will enable the movement of power between Ireland and France. The Interconnector is supported at Government level under Project Ireland 2040 and in the Regional Spatial & Economic Strategy for the Southern Region. The €1 billion project will connect Ireland’s electricity network to France and the EU’s Internal Energy Market (post Brexit) via an underwater connection. Once built, its 700 megawatts capacity will power 450,000 households, and help Ireland to switch to 70% renewable energy as set out in the Government’s Climate Action Plan. 13.16.5 As part of the feasibility study, the route between the south coast of Ireland (East Cork) and the north-west coast of France have been proposed for the Celtic Interconnector. EirGrid have noted the subsea cables will make landfall at Claycastle Beach close to Youghal. While the Converter station infrastructure is proposed to be located at the IDA site at Ballyadam, near Carrigtohill. The length of the subsea cable would be approximately 500 km. The total length of the interconnector between the two countries would be approximately 575 km and expected to be completed by 2026. 13.16.6 The potential benefits of this large-scale infrastructure project include: • Ability to import and export 700 MW (megawatts) of electricity, the equivalent of supplying power to around 450,000 homes; • Enhanced security of supply for Irish electricity users. It will provide Ireland’s only direct energy connection to an EU Member State once the United Kingdom leaves the EU. • Apply downward pressure on the cost of electricity to consumers in Ireland; • Help facilitate Ireland’s transition to a low carbon energy future; • Provide a direct fibre optic communications link between Ireland and France. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-23: Celtic Interconnector Support the development of the Celtic Interconnector project linking the electrical transmission networks between Ireland and France as identified as a key project under Project Ireland 2040 for security of electricity supply, enhanced competition, and direct access to the EU Internal Energy Market. Gas Network 13.16.7 Gas Networks Ireland (forming part of Ervia) owns, operates, builds, and maintains the natural gas network in Ireland and connects customers to the network. At present there is approximately 688,000 homes and businesses with a connection to the gas network nationwide. 13.16.8 Gas Networks Ireland has published a long-term strategy document named Vision 2050 whereby the national gas network will evolve to become net zero carbon by 2050. In doing so it will support emissions reductions across every sector of the Irish economy at the lowest cost possible. 13.16.9 In terms of gas infrastructure in Cork, Bord Gáis Energy (a privately owned company since 2014) owns a state of the art 445MW energy efficient Power Generation Plant in Whitegate, Co. Cork which can power up to 400,000 homes. 13.16.10 The Inch entry point, located in Cork, connects the Kinsale and Seven Heads gas fields and the Kinsale storage facility to the onshore network and allows direct access to the gas network. GO TO CONTENTS

10. Page 310

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    310 13.16.11 Gas Infrastructure has as an important role to play in the development of renewable energy. It can facilitate future renewable energy development by providing reserve fuel for heat and power facilities otherwise provided by renewable resources, in a local and national context. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-24: Gas Network Infrastructure Facilitate the sustainable delivery, improvement, and expansion of natural gas infrastructure throughout the County and have regard to the location of existing gas infrastructure in the assessment of planning applications.s 13.17 Energy from Oil and Gas 13.17.1 Cork plays an important role in the production/management of national oil and gas supplies and in the generation of electricity from both oil and gas. Whitegate, Irelands Energy Park, on the eastern shore of Cork Harbour, is a strategically important area at national level for energy supply and security with up to 25% of all national energy produced in one square mile. Also, 90% of the oil reserves for the state are stored here and elsewhere in the Cork region. Additionally, on the other side of the Harbour is the Irish Maritime and Energy Resource Cluster (IMERC), Beaufort Laboratory, National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) and Maritime Renewable Energy Ireland (MaREI) at Ringaskiddy, making Cork a worldclass hub of marine renewables and offshore research and training. 13.17.2 In terms of Energy Infrastructure assets, Ireland’s only oil refinery, operated by Irving Oil, is located at Whitegate in East Cork. Extensive oil storage facilities at Whitegate and Bantry Bay place Cork at the centre of the oil industry in Ireland. This position has the potential to be boosted with the development of Ireland’s first indigenous oil field at the Barryroe prospect 50km off the Cork coast. Barryroe Gas and Oil Field is located very close to the depleted Kinsale Gas Field. During the lifetime of this Plan, there are proposals to develop the Barryroe facility for gas storage, carbon capture and a hydrogen generation site. 13.17.3 Cork Harbour, operated by the Port of Cork Company, is a well-developed deep-water port for commercial traffic with a track-record of service to the energy industry. Cork Harbour is the most significant port outside Dublin’s and this infrastructure will support the development and future maintenance of offshore energy resources. Cork Airport also facilitates the support of oil and gas infrastructure off the coast. 13.17.4 Bord Gáis officially opened its first major electricity generating station at Whitegate in Cork in 2016. The 445 megawatts gas-fired Whitegate Power Plant is also a key development for the State as it enhances the country’s security of supply and energy mix. The €400m investment provides power for 445,000 homes. 13.17.5 In addition, Whitegate is close to the Kinsale Gas Field (with access to the gas grid). This is the location of Ireland’s only strategic gas storage facility with gas imports used to refill this storage facility. In July 2020, Gas production in the Kinsale Gas field was ceased and the gas field is currently being decommissioned. The infrastructure available offers opportunities for potential Carbon Capture and Storage with a calculated practical capacity of 330 million tonnes CO2. Studies are being undertaken by Ervia to determine the opportunities. 13.17.6 Under-sea oil discoveries off the Cork coastline, though not yet commercially developed, emphasise the likely future importance of the Whitegate area. However, the Programme for Government has recently put a stop to issuing a license for oil exploration and extraction and in turn is placing emphasis on renewable energy instead to help reach our carbon neutral economy target. The Development Plan has reserved a significant site for future expansion of energy related development in Whitegate. 13.17.7 Bantry Bay Oil Terminal located at Whiddy Island, privately owned by Zenit Energy, is the location of large storage facilities for the Irish Strategic Oil Reserve and commercial users. It has a potential role in relation to future output from offshore oil-fields in Irish coastal waters. County Development Plan Objective ET 13-25: National Energy Hub- Whitegate Safeguard and support the role and function of the Whitegate area, as a preferred strategic location for energy developments that continues to play a key role in meeting the State’s energy requirements and oil refining needs in a manner that is compatible with the residential and amenity values of the village, as well as the nature conservation values of the adjacent Cork Harbour Special Protection Area. 13.17.8 It is acknowledged that Ireland needs to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, and national policy supports increasing the renewable energy share of final energy consumption. In the short to medium-term, the mix of non-renewables will shift away from more carbon-intensive fuels, like peat and coal, to lower-carbon fuels like natural gas. Cork County Council will work with all stakeholders in progressing plans to transition to carbon neutrality by 2050. GO TO CONTENTS

Source Cork County Council: Cork County Development Plan 2022–2028 – Volume One: Main Policy Material (2022–2028) · Licence the publisher's termsText read from the publisher’s PDF; tables, maps and drawings do not survive as text, and page numbers are the PDF’s (its first page is 1). Check the original before relying on a passage.