Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027

1. Page 381

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   Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-26 Map 10.1: Areas suitable for Wind Development

2. Page 382

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   Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-2710-27 10.6.1 Off Shore Wind Development Louth, with its considerable coastal extent presents significant opportunities for economic development in servicing off-shore wind developments. The Climate Action Plan 2019 expects the connection of at least 3.5GW of offshore renewable energy to the grid by 2030. An off shore wind energy strategy will be an integral part of the Renewable Energy Strategy. Policy Objective IU 57 To encourage the development of wind energy, in accordance with Government policy and guidance and the 'Wind Energy Development Guidelines' (2006) or any revisions thereof which may be issued during the lifetime of the Plan. Policy Objective IU 58 To facilitate the development of wind energy in an environmentally sustainable manner ensuring proposals are consistent with the landscape preservation objectives of the Plan, the protection of the natural and built environment and the visual and residential amenities of the area. Policy Objective IU 59 To promote the location of wind farms and wind energy infrastructure in the ‘preferred areas’ as outlined on Map 10.1, to prohibit such infrastructure in areas identified as ‘no-go areas’ and to consider, subject to appropriate assessment, the location of wind generating infrastructure in areas ‘open for consideration’. Policy Objective IU 60 To favourably consider small scale wind energy development for auto-consumption purposes, that accord with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area including residential amenity, heritage, environmental and landscape impacts. Policy Objective IU 61 To support the development of off shore windfarm developments subject to normal planning considerations, including in particular the impact on areas of environmental or landscape sensitivity. Policy Objective IU 62 To ensure that terrestrial developments along the coastline provide adequate provision for connection to the national grid for off-shore wind farms. Policy Objective IU 63 To support the repowering/life extension of wind turbines where appropriate and subject to normal proper planning considerations.

3. Page 383

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   Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-28 Policy Objective IU 64 The Council will determine how the implementation of the Plan over its effective period will contribute to realising overall national targets on renewable energy and climate change mitigation, and in particular wind energy production and the potential wind energy resource (in megawatts), within 6 months of making the Plan. 10.7 SOLAR ENERGY As solar energy technology has become more effective, more northerly countries like Ireland, have become viable for technology including solar panels and solar farms with storage facilities. As a result, solar energy is increasingly contributing to a reduction in energy demand and energy costs for a range of commercial, residential and industrial properties. There are three main forms of solar energy, which 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). Passive solar heating relies on the manner in which buildings are designed to maximise solar gain and minimise heat loss through a combination of factors including layout, orientation and materials. Solar thermal heating involves the use of solar panels to transform solar energy to heat and provide water and/or space heating. Both offer significant potential to generate heat from solar energies. Photovoltaic (PV) systems use daylight to convert solar radiation into electricity and this technology can be used for domestic as well as larger industrial or commercial applications. The Council will support and facilitate the development of solar energy, encourage passive solar design, solar PV, and solar water heating in new buildings and in retrofitting buildings. Solar energy like all forms of renewable energy technology is constantly evolving. Solar farms have the potential to affect the landscape and natural and built heritage. When assessing planning applications for solar energy, development proposals shall have regard inter alia to: • Landscape Character of County; • Site contours and levelling on site; • Site suitability: Brownfield lands or poor agricultural lands; • Visual and landscape impact; • Ecology ; • Heritage; • Glint & glare; • Ground maintenance, soil stripping, storage and maintenance; • Fencing, security & lighting; • Drainage; and • Decommissioning. Policy Objective IU 65 To support the development of solar energy infrastructure in the County including commercial scale ground mounted solar PV ‘Solar Farms’ subject to environmental safeguards and the protection of natural and built heritage features, biodiversity and views and prospects. Policy Objective IU 66 To encourage and support the development of solar energy infrastructure for onsite energy use, including solar PV, solar thermal and seasonal storage technologies.

4. Page 384

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   Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-2910-29 10.7.1 Heat Pump Systems The National Climate Action Plan 2019 has a stated installation target of 600,000 heat pumps nationally by 2030, two-thirds of which are to be retro-fitted into existing properties. This equates to 15,800 heat pumps in Louth on a pro-rata population basis. Heat-pumps are electrical devices which convert energy from the air outside into useful heat and where a building is well insulated, they are very economical to run and an extremely efficient alternative to oil, gas, solid fuel and electric heating systems. Different types of heat pump systems extract heat from different sources: air, water or the ground. Heat generated is released via radiators, underfloor heating or warm air. There are many variants such as Air to Water, Ground Source to Water, Exhaust Air to Water, Water to Water and Air to Air. These can be broadly divided into three classes: Air Source: The most common heat pump systems extract heat from external air, typically using an outside unit. These heat pump systems do not require underground piping to source heat and so can be cheaper and easier to install compared to ground source heat pump systems. The most popular heat pumps are air to water heat pumps. Ground Source (Geothermal): A groundsource heat pump system uses the earth as a source of renewable heat. Heat is removed from the ground through collector pipework and then transferred to the heat pump. The ground collector can be laid out horizontally at a shallow depth below the surface or else vertically to a greater depth. Water Source: Water source heat pump systems use open water, such as lakes, rivers or streams, as a heat source. Heat is removed from the water through collector pipework and then transferred to the heat pump. Policy Objective IU 67 To encourage and support the development and promote the use of heat pumps for heating domestic, commercial and recreational buildings and water subject to normal planning and environmental considerations. 10.8 BIOENERGY Bioenergy is the term used to denote renewable energy derived from biomass. Biomass is defined as the biodegradable proportion of products, waste and residues from agriculture, forestry, and related industries and the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste. It is a renewable indigenous source of fuel for electricity, heat, transport and fuel. Projects involving the combustion of biomass can range from domestic boilers to industrial installations. The principle feedstocks are wood chip and wood pellets, energy crops and the combustion of municipal waste in waste to energy facilities. Biofuels may be defined as liquid or gaseous fuels for transport, which are produced from biomass such as oilseed rape. Biogas, (when subjected to suitable processing) can be injected into the natural gas grid to complement or substitute natural gas and can also be compressed and used as transport fuel. The advantages of Bioenergy include inter alia, security and diversity of supply, alternative farming opportunities, employment generation and potential to reduce greenhouse emissions.

5. Page 385

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   Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-30 The Council will promote renewable gas and support investment in the sustainable development of an agricultural biogas sector and assist in the integration of renewable gas into the grid network. Policy Objective IU 68 To support and promote the development of projects that convert biomass to energy subject to proper planning and environmental considerations. Policy Objective IU 69 To direct commercial bioenergy plants to locate on lands reserved for industrial use, brownfield sites adjacent to industrial areas, or brownfield sites in the rural area (including existing farmyards) which are served by a good public roads network to absorb increased traffic movements. 10.8.1 Biogas Generation Renewable Gas, often referred to as biomethane, is a clean, renewable and carbon neutral fuel and it can be produced from a range of feedstocks. Its potential is as a renewable fuel in all energy sectors; for heat, electricity and transport and thus contributing to Ireland’s decarbonisation, renewable energy and energy security objectives. Ireland has the highest potential for Renewable Gas production per capita in Europe with a potential of 13TWh achievable by 2030, according to EU Commissioned report ‘Optimal use of biogas from waste streams An assessment of the potential of biogas from digestion in the EU beyond 2020’. Policy Objective IU 70 To support and promote the development of bio-gas production and networking technologies at suitable locations and subject to normal planning and environmental considerations. 10.8.2 District Heating Ireland has one of the lowest shares of district heating in Europe at less than 1% of the heat market. District Heating can play a key role in improved energy efficiency and emissions reduction through the use of low carbon energy resources, improvements in energy conversion efficiency through, for example, CHP (Combined Heat and Power) and capturing low value heat resources which would otherwise go to waste. Public bodies are identified as key enablers of district heating, particularly where larger scale co-ordination of projects is required among diverse stakeholders. The development of district heating will require coordinated, locallevel action to effectively plan for successful widespread district heating implementation.

6. Page 386

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   Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-3110-31 In accordance with RPO 7.38 of the RSES, Louth County Council will utilise heat mapping to support developments which deliver energy efficiency and the recovery of energy that would otherwise be wasted. Further, the Council will carry out a feasibility assessment for district heating within its functional area and shall identify local waste heat sources. Policy Objective IU 71 Facilitate and promote District Heating installation where practical through the County, while protecting residential amenity. Policy Objective IU 72 To ensure the use of heat mapping to inform the best and justifiable location for district heating schemes. Policy Objective IU 73 The Council will carry out a feasibility assessment for district heating schemes and shall identify local waste heat sources accordingly. 10.9 HYDRO ENERGY Where suitable, the use of rivers for the development of Hydro Energy will be encouraged by the Council to play a part in the County’s renewable energy mix. In particular, the Council will be supportive of individual developments along the banks of rivers, which propose hydro energy to provide an element of their energy requirements, all subject to environmental considerations. Policy Objective IU 74 To support the sustainable development of hydroelectric projects on rivers and lakes where they do not have an ecological impact on any sites of EU or national designation and/or impact negatively on freshwater species and the free passage of fish. 10.9.1 Tidal and Ocean Energy Although situated along the east coast of the country, there is no doubt that potential exists in the waters off Louth’s coast. Realisation of this resource will depend on the cost effectiveness of wave energy technology, the amount of power which can practically be connected to the grid and the capacity available on the network. While proposals below the water mark lie outside the Council’s jurisdiction, on-shore ancillary plant, buildings and power lines will require assessment and all on-shore impacts must be mitigated to the greatest extent possible. In this regard, detailed visual and environmental considerations of any development proposal will be assessed in determining their acceptability. In 2012, Our Ocean Wealth – An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland (DAFM) was a strategy aiming to introduce ocean energy into Ireland’s renewables portfolio wherein tidal energy is recognised as an important element. Carlingford and the Boyne Estuary may have potential for the generation of tidal energy.

7. Page 387

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   Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-32 Policy Objective IU 75 To support the development of wave and tidal energy in suitable waters off the coast of County Louth subject to the protection of important marine habitats and acceptable visual and environmental considerations. 10.10 SMALL SCALE RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GENERATION With the development of new technologies, the generation of electricity on a small scale from renewable or low carbon sources is becoming more viable. Small scale installations are available in the form of PV cells (solar panels), single stand alone or wall mounted wind turbines and biomass converters. The Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) set out exemptions for certain small scale renewable installations. The installation of any class of micro renewable technology that does not fall within the exemptions requires planning permission. Policy Objective IU 76 To promote and facilitate the development of small scale electricity generation installations and green technologies which do not negatively impact on environmental quality, landscape, wildlife and habitats and residential amenities. 10.10.1 Energy Supply and Infrastructure The Council acknowledges the need to utilise electricity for commercial and domestic 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 generated from non-renewable sources such as natural gas, burning of coal, oil and peat. This energy is transferred around the country on the national grid transmission infrastructure. The development of a secure and reliable transmission network is critical to ensuring that Louth has the necessary infrastructure to accommodate and promote economic growth, attract investment to the area and facilitate the development of the County in line with the Core and Settlement Strategies. Policy Objective IU 77 To require that in all new developments, local services such as electricity be undergrounded where possible and appropriate. Policy Objective IU 78 To seek to avoid the sterilisation of lands proximate to key public transport corridors such as rail routes when future energy transmission routes/pipelines are being designed and provided.

8. Page 388

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   Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-3310-33 10.10.2 Electricity Supply and Infrastructure EirGrid is responsible for the safe, secure and reliable transmission of electricity – both now and into the future. It develops, manages and operates the electricity transmission grid, which brings power from where it is generated to where it is needed throughout the country. The grid also supplies power to industry and businesses that use large amounts of electricity and powers the distribution network. The distribution network in turn supplies electricity to homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, etc. The transmission system on the island of Ireland refers to the higher capacity electricity network. Eirgrid published Ireland’s Grid Development Strategy - Your Grid, Your Tomorrow, which was its second review of Grid 25. This Strategy recognises that the development of the transmission grid is of critical importance to support the economy and society, as well as to realise the transformation of Ireland’s energy system to meet climate change and energy obligations. It reflects EirGrid’s focus on facilitating greater public participation in decisionmaking during project development, an updated economic context, and the testing and/or availability of new technologies, which can and will increasingly be available for use on the transmission grid. It concludes that Eirgrid will only build new infrastructure when new infrastructure remains as the best solution after considering all options. Eirgrid’s Implementation Plan 2017-2022 is an overview of how the early stages of Ireland’s Grid Development Strategy will be implemented, identifying those parts of the transmission system that are likely to need development over the five year period (2017-2022) and the planning and development of the grid that will be undertaken in implementing the Strategy. The Implementation Plan has also had regard to the Transmission Development Plan 2016, which is a plan for the development of the Irish transmission network and interconnection over a ten year period. The Council supports the development of a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity and the development of enhanced electricity networks to serve the existing and future needs of the Region and to strengthen all-island energy infrastructure and interconnection capacity. In relation to County Louth, works proposed relate primarily to upgrading and refurbishing the existing network.

9. Page 389

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   Chapter 10 –Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-34 Where strategic route corridors are identified, the Council will safeguard such corridors from encroachment by inappropriate development and ensure their scope for development is maintained. 10.10.3 Gas Supply Network The natural gas pipeline infrastructure is under the remit of Gas Networks Ireland. A high capacity gas pipeline currently runs along a north-south trajectory from North County Dublin through County Louth into the Northern Ireland gas network. This network provides potential for gas fired generation in the North-East of the country. County Louth has a substantial gas distribution network and factors such as demand, settlement size and commercial developments, in particular where it is in proximity to the existing network, drives expansion of the service. Natural gas from a fossil fuel source is a limited resource, which is not renewable. However, the existing gas distribution network in Ireland is effective and supports gas from fossil fuel sources and biogas. Therefore as Ireland heads towards 2050, it seems likely that there will be more focus on biogas and a consequent reduction of gas from fossil fuel sources in the gas distribution network. Policy Objective IU 79 To support and facilitate the reinforcement and development of enhanced electricity and gas supplies, and associated networks, to serve the existing and future needs of the County and Region. This will include the delivery of the necessary integration of transmission network requirements facilitating linkages of renewable energy proposals to the electricity and gas transmission grid, in a sustainable and timely manner, subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. Policy Objective IU 80 To support statutory and other providers of national grid infrastructure by protecting strategic route corridors from encroachment by development that might compromise the provision of energy networks. Policy Objective IU 81 To ensure that development proposals for energy transmission and distribution infrastructure follow best practice with regard to siting and design. Proposed high voltage overhead lines shall as far as possible seek to avoid areas of sensitivity. Where avoidance is not possible, full consideration shall be given to undergrounding the lines where technically feasible and environmentally appropriate. Policy Objective IU 82 To require the under-grounding of electrical cables within new residential, commercial or civic developments. Where existing, and proposed high voltage lines traverse new residential, commercial or civic developments, these should be relocated under-ground where technically feasible.

10. Page 390

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    Chapter 10 – Infrastructure & Public Utilities Louth County Development Plan 2021-2027 10-3510-35 Policy Objective IU 83 To require in all new developments, that multiple services are accommodated in shared strips underground and that access covers are shared, whenever possible. Policy Objective IU 84 To support Eirgrid’s Implementation Plan (2017-2022) and the Transmission Development Plan (2016) and any subsequent plans prepared during the lifetime of this Plan, subject to appropriate environmental assessment and the planning process. 10.11 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN BUILDINGS According to the EU, buildings account for 40% of total energy consumption in the EU and therefore, promoting sustainable design and increasing energy efficiency in buildings is critically important. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) (2010/31/EU) was transposed into Irish law through the European Union (Energy Performance of Buildings) Regulations 2012. This Directive (EPBD) requires all new buildings (public and private) are Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEB) by 2020, which is considered to be a critical requirement for the housing stock in particular. A ‘Nearly Zero Energy Building’ means a building that has a very high energy performance and the nearly zero or very low amount of energy required should be covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources, including energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby. The sustainable design, construction and operation of new buildings and in major renovations to existing dwellings, has a significant role to play in reducing energy demand and increasing energy efficiency into the future. The right design decisions in relation to building form, internal layout, levels of insulation, amount and orientation of glazing, utilisation of solar energy, heating system and fuel type, use of draught lobbies, construction materials and measures to conserve potable water can contribute greatly to sustainability. In addition, these will lead to cost savings in the long term, while raising the level of comfort for the occupants of the dwelling. The energy efficiency and renewable energy requirements for the construction of new residential and non-residential buildings, along with major renovations to existing dwellings are primarily addressed in the current Building Regulations Part L (1997-2019). A ‘major renovation’ refers to the renovation of a building where more than 25% of the surface of the building envelope undergoes renovation. Part L requires that a building be designed and constructed so as to ensure that the energy performance is such as to limit the amount of energy required in the operation of the building and the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with this energy use insofar as is reasonably practicable.

Source Louth County Council: Louth County Development Plan 2021–2027 (2021–2027) · 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.