Permission granted for controversial Kentstown gas power plant

Meath County Council has granted planning permission for a highly contentious gas fired peaking power plant in Kentstown, despite strong local opposition.

Polarisgate Ltd had sought a 10 year planning permission for the development, which will consist of three open-cycle gas turbine generators, each with a 30m high stack, on a 19-acre site at Curraghtown, Brownstown. If constructed, the plant is expected to operate for 40 years and provide back-up electricity to the national grid.

The decision follows months of heated debate and a number of protests held in Kentstown village. In December, the Council had requested detailed clarification on 21 separate points from the developer, including the project’s necessity, environmental impact, traffic implications, and the potential effect on heritage sites.

Local opposition group Stop Kentstown Power Plant had argued that Polarisgate itself admitted Ireland has already reached the Government’s target for 2GW of flexible gas generation capacity, with over 3GW of similar projects already granted planning permission since 2021. They claimed this rendered the Kentstown plant unnecessary and harmful, particularly in light of the recent EPA report warning that Ireland is likely to miss its 2030 emissions target potentially resulting in EU fines of up to €26 billion.

Despite these concerns, Meath County Council has now approved the project. Speaking following the decision, Meath East Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke said:

“This is a very disappointing decision. The community made a large number of submissions, representing a very comprehensive and compelling case in opposition to this proposed plant. I was happy to support them in that and, along with my Sinn Féin colleague Cllr. Helen Meyer, to make my own submissions in opposition to this plant. I thought Meath County Council would see the strength of that case and refuse planning. I am surprised and disappointed that they didn't. Local residents and their public representatives will have to assess this decision and decide on the next course of action. I fully expect an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála. The fight against this massive, dirty plant will surely continue.”

Issues raised by opponents include the lack of a national site assessment or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), increased construction traffic concerns, potential destruction of red and amber listed wildlife habitats, and the threat to views from historic sites including Tara, Knowth, and Slane.

Local campaigners are now expected to consider lodging an appeal to An Coimisiún Pleanála, which could delay or overturn the Council’s decision.