Development plan · Kildare County Council
Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 7: Energy and Communications
One part of the council's development plan written statement, which the council publishes in parts. Variations adopted since are not in this text.
Kildare County Council · 2023–2029 · 30 pages
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- environmental development in the transition to a low carbon future in the West Kildare region. Addressing the County’s turbary areas, the Plan provides a concise, coherent, thematic, and action-focused plan with an emphasis on the effective and practical implementation of projects to stimulate and enable a range of actions that can be owned and driven by the many diverse communities of West Kildare. In doing so, it draws together opportunities associated with the Just Transition Framework for the wider Midlands Region, the National Territorial Just Transition Plan, and the impetus for the Transition to a Low Carbon Economy. The guiding priorities for the Plan have been to stimulate skills development and employment, to build community cohesion and to increase the resilience of the communities of West Kildare, across three key themes: Economy, Society and Environment. The Plan identifies 15 no. thematic actions which focus on overcoming challenges and capturing opportunities. The aforementioned themes of the Just Transition are at the heart of all 15 actions. Each action is designed to deliver against all three of these themes in some way. Therefore, rather than group actions by theme actions have been grouped into three areas of opportunity which have been identified as Tourism, Business and Skills and Energy. Some of the key actions identified in the Plan include: • Progressing the opportunity for a new National Peatlands Park for Ireland • Providing a stimulus for community owned marinas and facilities as key blueway infrastructure to support the growing tourism sector. • Encouraging new community development groups to emerge • Growing the capacity for communities to help themselves through ‘one-stop shops’ at community hubs which will enhance the ability of communities to access funding opportunities and skills training, as well as supporting remote working. • Supporting community retrofitting programmes The Plan also identifies three priority enabling actions which have the capacity, if realised, to support all 15 proposed thematic actions and include the following; 1. A coordinated programme of activity to bid for Just Transition Fund monies. 2. Critical partnership building 3. Incorporation of the Just Transition Plan into the Local Economic Community Plan (LECP) Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P17 Support the preparation of a comprehensive “after use” framework plan for the industrial peatlands and associated workshops, office buildings, industrial sites and power stations in Kildare, acknowledging the significant contribution that these expansive lands make towards the special landscape of the Bog of Allen and its potential to further the growth of tourism to and within the County including the creation of a National Peatlands Park, being a focal point for the environmental landscape, conservation and amenity.241
- Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O50 Prioritise the sourcing of E.U. and National funding to support projects which assist the transition of the industrial peatlands and the communities traditionally dependant on them, to sustainable after uses. EC O51 Support Bord na Mona in the preparation of a long-term strategic plan for the former industrial peatlands. EC O52 Support Bord Na Mona (and their company Powergen) with their redevelopment proposals for their headquarters at Newbridge, with a view to Kildare County Council promoting the area as a Green Energy Hub, which focuses on the higher order aspects of the renewable energy industry and a climate action training centre. EC O53 Support the implementation of the recommendations contained in the National Peatlands Strategy 2015 and any subsequent revisions, including the creation of a National Peatlands Park and Peatland Centre of Excellence. EC O54 Require an Ecological Impact Assessment to be carried out and submitted with any planning application for energy infrastructure projects (e.g., wind and solar developments). EC O55 Estimate an overall carbon balance when evaluating renewable energy project applications on peatlands, especially those proposed for wind or solar projects taking into account the lifetime of the project versus the potential carbon sequestration over 1000s of years of a site once rehabilitated fully. EC O56 Support the implementation of the ‘Local Just Transition Plan for West Kildare, 2022’ which identifies 15 no. thematic actions and 3 no. priority enabling actions to support and advance sustainable, social, economic, environmental development in the transition to a low carbon future in the West Kildare region. EC O57 Ensure that renewable energy projects located on or near peatlands do not negatively impact on any rehabilitation measures including enhanced rehabilitation measures (i.e. blocking and re-wetting). EC O58 Undertake a peatland stability assessment, carbon emissions balance assessment and hydrological and ecological impact assessments, as required, when developing project proposals for development on peatlands.1 Action It is an action of the Council to: EC A8 Support in conjunction with Offaly County Council and Laois County Council any proposal for a new National Peatlands Park on Bord Na Mona cutaway bogs in Kildare, Laois and Offaly. 1 Refer also to Objectives RE O139 (Chapter 4) & RD O41 (Chapter 9)242
- 7.13 Communications 7.13.1 Data Centres & Energy Supply It is Government Policy as set out in the National Planning Framework and the Government Statement on “The Role of Data Centres in Ireland” to promote Ireland as a sustainable international destination for Information Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure such as Data Centres. To date, some of the world’s best known companies including Microsoft, Google, IBM and Amazon AWS have chosen Ireland as the location for their European data centres. Kildare County Council acknowledges that data centres contribute to job creation during construction, maintenance and from associated areas such as research and development, data analytics, customer service, technical support, marketing and sales. Data centres generally need to be located in areas where there exists a significant and sustainable electricity supply, high powered fibre optic cables, good accessibility and on large land banks that are easily developable with future expansion possibilities. In addition, the Council is mindful that Data Centres should avoid sensitive landscapes and environments. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P18 Support the accommodation of Data Centres at appropriate locations in line with the objectives of the National Planning Framework and the principles for Sustainable Data Centre Development of the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy (July 2022) subject to appropriate Transport, Energy and Environmental Assessments and all relevant planning conditions. The location of data centres shall be situated where they will not have a potential likely significant effect on a European Site. Such developments shall be subject to an AA Screening Report, and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. They shall have regard for any hydrological connection shared with a European Site and shall account for any potential likely significant effects and provide mitigation and monitoring where appropriate. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O59 Consider applications for data centres having regard to the following criteria: • Accessibility/ease of connection to power • Availability of renewable energy to power any proposed data centre. • Availability of high-powered fibre optic infrastructure Transport/road accessibility • Compatibility of surrounding land uses/zoning • Avoidance of designated sites including specifically avoidance of development of data centres where they would adversely affect the integrity of a European Site • Availability of significant landbanks • Noise • Visual impact243
- • Flood risk Such developments shall be subject to an AA Screening Report, and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. They shall have a regard for any hydrological connection shared with a European Site and shall account for any potential likely significant effects and provide mitigation and monitoring where appropriate. EC O60 Require that any application for a data centre shall take account of the cumulative visual impact of the proposed connections of the data centre with electricity transmission, renewable energy and broadband infrastructure in the area. EC O61 Require data centres to include strong energy efficiency measures to reduce their carbon footprint in support of national targets towards a net zero carbon economy, through the use of sustainable sources of energy generation in the first instance and then the use of renewable sources of energy to power their operations, where on site demand cannot be met in this way, to provide evidence of engagement with power purchase agreements (PPA) In Ireland. All data centre developments shall provide evidence of sign up to the Climate Neutral Data Centre Pact. EC O62 All data centre development applications shall have regard to the DECLG guidance document ‘Towards nearly Zero Energy Buildings in Ireland – Planning for 2020 and Beyond’, which promotes the increase of near Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB). EC O63 Ensure that all significant development proposals for Data Centres are accompanied by an Energy Analysis that explores the potential for the development of low carbon district heating networks. 7.14 Energy Supply and Infrastructure The Council acknowledges the need to utilise electricity for domestic and commercial use within the county. Notwithstanding the Council’s desire to promote the growth in renewable energy alternatives, the majority of the county’s energy is still generated from non-renewable sources such as the burning of coal, oil, peat and natural gas. For the most part this energy is transferred around the county on the national grid transmission infrastructure. While the main source of electricity generation in Ireland is from non- renewable sources, electricity generation from renewable sources is increasing. EirGrid is responsible for power across the electricity transmission grid, ensuring a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity to homes, businesses and industry across the country while ESB networks are responsible for carrying out maintenance, repairs and construction on the grid. The electricity transmission grid infrastructure has a big role to play in meeting the challenges of climate change and energy and in supporting our environment, society, and economy. A comprehensive development strategy for the country’s electricity infrastructure is provided in EirGrid’s 2017 publication Grid Development Strategy - Your Grid, Your Tomorrow, along with the associated Grid Implementation Plan for the initial period 2017-2022. In addition, The Transmission Development Plan (TDP)244
- 2020-2029 lists the committed projects and projects under development for the enhancement of the Irish transmission network over the coming years. The Shaping our Electricity Future - A Roadmap to achieve our Renewable Ambition (2021) provides an outline of the key developments from a networks, engagement, operations and market perspective needed to support a secure transition to at least 80% renewables on the electricity grid by 2030. The Council supports the sustainable implementation of these plans and strategies and any subsequent plans prepared during the lifetime of this Plan, subject to landscape, residential, amenity and environmental considerations. It is anticipated that growth in the Greater Dublin Area will give rise to demand for increased energy supply and a pressure to connect the region with other regions via the hinterland area that includes County Kildare. The Council will support and facilitate the requirements of the major service providers, such as Eirgrid and ESB, where it is proposed to enhance or upgrade existing facilities or networks or to provide new infrastructure subject to landscape, residential amenity and environmental considerations. The Maynooth 220kV and Dunstown 400kV substations are both electrical substations of regional significance and the Council will seek to support any reinforcement of the Greater Dublin Area between Dunstown and Woodland 400 kV substations. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P19 Support the development, reinforcement, renewal and expansion of the electricity transmission and distribution grid to provide for the future physical and economic development of Kildare Such projects shall be subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. The developments will have regard for protected species and provide mitigation and monitoring where applicable.. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O64 Support and safeguard the efficient and reliable supply of electricity to all homes and businesses in County Kildare. EC O65 Support the reinforcement and strengthening of the electricity transmission and distribution network, including the installation of Battery Energy Storage System plants 2 , Synchronous Condenser plants, and associated dispatchable power plants associated with high energy users, to facilitate planned growth and transmission/distribution of a renewable energy focused generation, at appropriate locations and in consultation with relevant stakeholders, where they are adjacent and/or proximate to the grid network. 2 Proposals for Battery Energy Storage Systems and Synchronous Condenser plants shall be subject to landscape, residential, amenity, human health, and environmental considerations. Such projects shall be subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. The developments will have regard for protected species and provide mitigation and monitoring where applicable.245
- EC O66 Facilitate the delivery of necessary integration of transmission network requirements to allow linkages of renewable energy proposals to the electricity transmission grid in a sustainable and timely manner. EC O67 Require that developments involving the siting of overhead cables shall minimise visual impact by avoiding areas of high landscape sensitivity, sites and areas important for biodiversity and/or archaeological, cultural or heritage interest. EC O68 Require that all electricity lines of 38kV and over, comply with all internationally recognised standards with regards to proximity to sensitive receptors including dwellings, nursing homes, hospitals, other inhabited structures and schools/crèches. EC O69 Support the statutory providers of national grid infrastructure by safeguarding strategic corridors (where strategic route corridors have been identified) from encroachment by other development, that might compromise the provision of energy networks. EC O70 Facilitate the development of grid reinforcements including grid connections and a trans-boundary network into and through the county and between all adjacent counties. Such projects shall be subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. The developments will have regard for protected species and provide mitigation and monitoring where applicable. EC O71 Support and facilitate the Kildare-Meath Grid Upgrade (also known as Capital Project 966) to enable further renewable energy generation in line with the Governments’ target of 80% renewable energy generation by 2030. EC O72 Require that in all new developments, local services such as electricity shall be located underground. Multiple services shall be accommodated in shared strips underground and access covers shall be shared, where possible. EC O73 Consider the removal of trees (singular or in stands) and hedgerows (in part or in whole) only in circumstances where it can be clearly demonstrated that the removal of hedgerow material and or tree(s) is essential for the provision of energy and cannot be designed out. Where proven, the vegetation is to be replaced with equivalent number, species, variety and size as was in situ. Where non-native species are removed, they will be required to be replaced with native species. In all cases, plants of local provenance are to be planted within 1 year of removal and maintained to establishment to negate the habitat and biodiversity loss within 3 years. Existing vegetative or ‘stepping-stone’ linkages are to be maintained and improved upon to increase wildlife corridors. Opportunities should be sought to translocate existing species rich hedgerows, where possible, and subject to proper biosecurity protocols. EC O74 Ensure that future upgrades / new overhead cable installations in town centres are located underground to protect the visual amenity of town centres and in particular Heritage Towns and Architectural Conservation Areas.246
- 7.15 Telecommunications Infrastructure Government policy for the development of telecommunications infrastructure is set out in Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures – Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996), and in circular letter PL07/12 which updated certain sections of the guidelines. The planning authority will have regard to the Guidelines and to such other publications and material as may be relevant in the consideration of planning applications for such structures. Free-standing masts should be avoided in the immediate surrounds of small towns and villages. In the vicinity of larger towns communications providers should endeavour to locate infrastructure in industrial estates on industrial zoned land. Only as last resort when all other alternatives have been exhausted should free standing masts be located in residential areas or close to schools and hospitals. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P20 Support national policy for the provision of new and innovative telecommunications infrastructure and to recognise that the development of such infrastructure is a key component of future economic prosperity and social development of County Kildare. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O75 Promote and facilitate the provision of appropriate telecommunications infrastructure, including broadband connectivity and other technologies within the county. Such projects shall be subject to AA screening and where applicable, Stage 2 AA. The developments will have regard for protected species and provide mitigation and monitoring where applicable. EC O76 Co-operate and co-ordinate with relevant bodies regarding the laying of key infrastructural services within towns and villages and, where practicable, to encourage the efficient and shared use of said infrastructural services. EC O77 Co-operate with telecommunication service providers in the development of the service, having regard to proper planning and sustainable development. EC O78 Have regard to the provisions of the Telecommunications Antennae and Support Structures Guidelines for Planning Authorities (1996) and circular letter PL07/12 and to such other publications and material as may be relevant during the period of the Plan. EC O79 Achieve a balance between facilitating the provision of telecommunications infrastructure in the interests of social and economic progress and sustaining residential amenity and environmental quality including to protect the visual amenity of town centres and in particular Heritage Towns and Architectural Conservation Areas.247
- EC O80 Ensure that the location of telecommunications structures minimises and/or mitigates any adverse impacts on communities, public rights of way, historical sites, or amenities, and the built or natural environment. Innovative design solutions will be encouraged. EC O81 Promote co-location to minimise the number of masts and their visual impact on the environment, by continuing to facilitate appropriate development in a clustered manner, where feasible, respecting the scale, character and sensitivities of the local landscape, whilst recognising the need for economic activity within the county. It will be a requirement for applicants to satisfy the planning authority, through the development management process, that a reasonable effort has been made to share installations. In situations where it is not possible to share a support structure, masts and antennae shall be clustered. EC O82 Minimise the provision of overground masts and antennae within the following areas: • Areas of high amenity/sensitive landscape areas. • Areas within or adjoining the curtilage of protected structures. • On or within the setting of archaeological sites. EC O83 Discourage the development of individual telecommunications support structures and antennae for private use. EC O84 Place telecommunications services underground where possible, and that any works carried out on footpaths make provision for future services. EC O85 Co-operate with service providers in securing a greater range and coverage of telecommunications services in order to ensure that people and businesses have equitable access to a wide range of services and the latest technologies as they become available. EC O86 Avoid free-standing masts in the immediate surrounds of small towns and villages. In the vicinity of larger towns communications providers should endeavour to locate infrastructure in industrial estates or on industrial zoned land. Only as a last resort when all other alternatives have been exhausted should free standing masts be located in residential areas or close to schools and hospitals. EC O87 Support the erection of additional masts in some areas to ensure the delivery of ‘’smart metering’ to all areas. 7.16 Gas Natural gas is the cleanest of all fossil fuels and its chemical composition makes it a more environmentally friendly fuel than oil, coal or peat. The existing gas network within the county has the capacity for connections and local distribution network extensions. The Council acknowledges the importance of gas for both economic development and as a provider of domestic energy within the county. As per the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication’s Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply published 30 November 2021, the development of new conventional generation (including gas-fired and gasoil/distillate-fired generation) is a national priority and should be permitted and supported in order to ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation.248
- The County’s natural gas pipeline infrastructure is under the responsibility of Gas Networks Ireland. Natural gas is available in a number of the county’s towns. Gas Networks Ireland continues to assess the feasibility of new connections bringing gas to additional towns. The existing gas network will continue to have a role to play as we transition to a low carbon economy, particularly as the production and use of biomethane and green hydrogen grows over the coming years and these indigenous gases are injected into the gas network in increasing volumes. These indigenous energy sources will be used to decarbonise sections of Ireland’s economy in their own right and will be complementary to renewable electricity generation at times when demand is high or on days when there is little or no wind or sunlight. Hydrogen is a carbon free gas that can be produced from renewable electricity. While initially seen primarily as a decarbonisation solution for heavy goods vehicles and industry, because of its versatility, it is now recognised that hydrogen can play a key role in the decarbonisation of large swathes of the economy, power generation, transport, industry and heating. Hydrogen is also well suited to short-term and interseasonal storage, making it an attractive option to decarbonise energy systems and a driver of a cleaner energy future for Ireland. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P21 Support the infrastructural renewal and development of the gas networks in the county, subject to proper planning, heritage, environmental and amenity requirements. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O88 Support the maintenance of the existing gas network and the further upgrading and expansion of the gas grid across County Kildare to serve existing and future residential, commercial and industrial development. EC O89 Support and facilitate the production of low carbon or renewable gases such as hydrogen produced using renewable electricity, and biomethane, produced largely from agricultural organic matter, and food waste, that can be injected into the national gas network, subject to appropriate environmental assessments. EC O90 Support the provision of measures such as the use of renewable gas injection points and Bio-CNG re-fuelling stations at appropriate locations in County Kildare. EC O91 Support the research and development of green hydrogen as a fuel for power generation, manufacturing, energy storage and transport.249
- 7.17 Broadband Broadband is currently available in many areas throughout the county however it is still recognised that a number of areas of County Kildare do not have adequate coverage. The 2016 Census noted that 57,086 households out of a total of 73,348 had broadband. Broadband is seen as a key enabling infrastructure for the knowledge-intensive services and activities on which future prosperity will increasingly depend. Policy It is the policy of the Council to: EC P22 Support the roll out of Broadband and Digital infrastructure especially in rural areas of the county. Objectives It is an objective of the Council to: EC O92 Support and facilitate the delivery of the National Broadband Plan and the Government’s ‘Harnessing Digital’ the Digital Ireland Framework (2022) with particular regard to 5G rollout as a means of developing further opportunities for enterprise, employment, education, innovation, and skills development for those who live and work in rural areas. EC O93 Facilitate the delivery of high-capacity Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, broadband network and digital broadcasting throughout the county at appropriate locations in order to achieve balanced social, economic and environmental development, whilst protecting the amenities of urban and rural areas. EC O94 Continue to provide public Wi-Fi zones in and around all public buildings. EC O95 Support the provision of open access fibre connections in all new developments. EC O96 Have regard to EU Directive 2014/61/EU (SI 391 of 2016), the broadband cost reduction directive, aimed at reducing the costs of deploying highspeed communications networks.250
Source Kildare County Council: Kildare County Development Plan 2023–2029 — Chapter 7: Energy and Communications (2023–2029) · 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.