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Draft decision by EPA to grant waste licence for the Waste to Energy Plant at Poolbeg
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a draft decision to grant a waste licence for the Waste to Energy plant at Poolbeg, Dublin 4. Dublin City Council together with their partners in Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd (a joint venture company owned by Covanta Energy, USA, a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation and DONG Energy Generation A/S, Denmark, formerly known as Elsam Kraft A/S) have welcomed the decision by the EPA.
This is the second of the three statutory processes required for the project to commence. The first stage, planning approval from An Bord Pleanála, has already been obtained. An application to the Commissioner for Energy Regulation is the final stage in the statutory process and will be made in the coming months.
Following the draft decision of the EPA, there is a 28-day period during which anyone can make an objection on the proposed decision, for a fee. These objections can also request that an oral hearing be held on the decision, however the EPA has absolute discretion to hold an oral hearing, whether or not a request has been made.
To find out more about the draft decision issued by the EPA visit http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/licensing/waste/poolbeg/
Waste to Energy Plant at Poolbeg is granted permission by an Bord Pleanála
An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for the Waste to Energy plant at Poolbeg, Dublin 4. Dublin City Council together with their partners at Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd (a joint venture company owned by Covanta Energy, USA, a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation and DONG Energy Generation A/S, Denmark, formerly known as Elsam Kraft A/S) have welcomed the decision to grant permission for the 600,000 tonnes per annum facility to be built.
The decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission comes following an extensive oral hearing process and is the first of the three statutory processes that have to be successfully completed before the project can commence. An application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a Waste Licence was made several months ago and a draft decision on that application has also been made. An application to the Commissioner for Energy Regulation is also required and will be made after the successful completion of the other two requirements.
The Dublin Waste Plan sets a very ambitious target of 59% recycling (currently at 40%). With landfill reducing to 16%, the plan sees the remaining 25% or 600,000 tonnes per annum, going for thermal treatment. Dublin City Council says this approach is the best practicable environmental solution to maximise recycling, minimise landfill and reduce climate change impact. The waste to energy plant will generate enough energy from the waste to provide electricity for 50,000 homes and district heating for a further 60,000 homes.
The approval is subject to thirteen conditions. These include the following:
- Deliveries of waste (and return trips), except from the central area as indicated on slides/drawings submitted at the oral hearing, shall be via the M50 and the Dublin Port Tunnel.
- A community gain fund shall be established to support facilities and services which would be of benefit to the community in the general catchment area.
- The detailed design of the proposed facility shall make provision for the future development of a district heating system.
For more information on the decision by An Bord Pleanála visit http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/EF2022.htm
City Council completes discussions and signs contract for proposed Dublin Waste to Energy plant
September 2007: Dublin City Council confirms its negotiations with Dublin Waste to Energy Ltd (a joint venture company owned by Covanta Energy, USA, a subsidiary of Covanta Holding Corporation and DONG Energy Generation A/S, Denmark, formerly known as Elsam Kraft A/S) have been successfully completed and the City Council has entered into a contract with the company to design, build, finance and operate the proposed Dublin Waste to Energy Plant at the Poolbeg Peninsula. Three statutory processes have to be completed before the project can commence. A planning application to An Bord Pleanála was the subject of an Oral Hearing in April/May. An application for a Waste Licence to the Environmental Protection Agency has also been made. Decisions from both these independent bodies are expected shortly. An application to the Commissioner for Energy Regulation is also required and that will be made after the completion of the other requirements.
"This project has been ongoing since the late 1990's and this is another milestone along the way" says Matt Twomey, Assistant City Manager. "When the Dublin Waste Plan achieves its ambitious targets of 59% recycling and the amount of waste going to landfill is reduced from the current 70% to just 16%, there will still be 25% of Dublin's waste remaining that has to be managed. Generating energy from the estimated up to 600,000 tonnes annually will provide electricity for 50,000 homes and district heating for a further 60,000 homes. Waste to energy has a role to play in a plan that emphasises maximum recycling and minimum use of landfill."
Related news
Dublin City Council issues Letter of Intent to build.
Download the non-technical summary of the EIS (695 Kb)
Download Waste License Application
Download the full EIS (Note: this file is 180 MB, on a standard dial-up Internet connection it will take approx. 7 hours to download).
EIS Part Download: