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The Journal
a day ago
- Business
- The Journal
Environmentalists urge Kildare County Council to refuse planning to €3bn data centre
FRIENDS OF THE Earth Ireland, An Taisce and Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) have called on Kildare County Council to refuse planning permission to a planned €3 billion data centre due mainly to the increased greenhouse gas emissions it will produce. In August of last year, multimillionaire engineering entrepreneur and co-owner of Monaghan-based forklift manufacturer Combilift, Robert Moffett's Herbata Ltd, lodged plans for the six data centre campus for a site next to the M7 motorway and business park at Naas, Co Kildare Last October, the Council stalled the plan after stating that the projected CO2 emissions from the data centre campus on lands in the Jigginstown, Halverstown and Newhall areas of Naas represents 49.35% of the 'Sectoral Emissions Ceiling' for the entire Commercial Built Environment Sector to 2030. The Council stated that the level of emission is 'excessive' for one development. In June, Herbata lodged extensive further information on the scheme in response to the Council concerns pointing out that the data centre will not be reliant upon the existing electricity generation and will get 50% of its power from renewables. Consultants for the applicants, RPS stated that the utilisation of Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGT) would result in a consequent reduction of 552,000 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions However, in new submissions ahead of a Council planning decision this week, Friends of the Earth Ireland, An Taisce and FIE call on the Council to reject the plan while County Kildare Chamber has urged the planning authority to grant permission. On behalf of FIE, director Tony Lowes stated that FIE strongly oppose the proposed development of six gas-powered data centres due to their projected high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and incompatibility with Ireland's climate obligations He stated that the development 'could emit nearly one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per year. Over five years, this would account for almost a quarter of Ireland's electricity sector carbon budget – posing a major adverse impact on national emissions targets'. Advertisement Lowes adds that 'the mitigation measures proposed, such as Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs), the potential use of biomethane or hydrogen, and future district heating, are either mismatched, unreliable, unproven, or dependent on fossil fuels'. On behalf of Friends of the Earth Ireland, campaigns director Jerry Mac Evilly stated that 'the central message of this submission is that the applicant has not clearly or sufficiently addressed significant emissions impacts of the six gas-powered data centres. 'We therefore call for the application to be rejected,' he said. He said that 'the proposed data centre's extremely high associated emissions directly conflict with legal obligations to reduce emissions under the 2021 Climate Act and would undermine national decarbonisation efforts'. On behalf of An Taisce, senior planning and environmental policy officer Phoebe Duvall has told the council that to grant permission 'would be in contravention of Ireland's legally binding emissions reduction obligations and contrary to the national climate objective'. In a submission on behalf of County Kildare Chamber, CEO Sinead Ronan has told the council that 'this project represents a significant and timely investment in Naas and the wider Kildare region, delivering multiple economic, environmental and infrastructural benefits'. Ronan stated that 'the revised proposals submitted in response to the request for further information highlight several key enhancements'. She said: 'Notably, the data centre will not draw power from the national grid. Instead, only a minimum of 50% of its energy demand will be met through on-site solar PV generation or renewable energy sourced via Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (CPPAs)'. Ronan stated that 'this proposal presents a forward-looking opportunity to enhance the local economy, support employment and position Kildare as a leader in sustainable digital infrastructure. 'The project also has a clear alignment to planning policy, climate goals and heritage protection'.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Eastland Generation Goes To Market With Offtake Tender
Press Release – Eastland Generation TOPP2 is part of Eastland Generations diverse renewable energy portfolio that includes three other geothermal power plants in the Bay of Plenty, Tairwhitis first utility scale solar farm and a hydroscheme in Hawkes Bay. New Zealand's latest geothermal power plant is on track to be commissioned towards the end of 2025. Eastland Generation is now going to market seeking tenders for the offtake. TOPP2, a 49MW Ormat binary plant, is situated on the Kawerau Geothermal Reservoir, and its completion will mark several major milestones for Eastland Generation. 'This is our largest geothermal project to date, and showcases our partnership approach to development,' says Eastland Generation Chief Executive Alice Pettigrew. 'It's a unique project, with Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Limited (NTGA) providing a long-term supply of geothermal energy to the station and managing the wells and steam field. Land is leased from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Ltd. With the supply of geothermal heat to the new station, TOPP2 will be NTGA's largest customer. 'When TOPP2 is fully operational, Eastland Generation will have achieved the next phase of its growth strategy, bringing our total renewable energy generation portfolio to well over 100MW. 'Notably, this is also our first major geothermal project since Obayashi Corporation acquired a 50% stake in the company in April last year.' TOPP2 is part of Eastland Generation's diverse renewable energy portfolio that includes three other geothermal power plants in the Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti's first utility scale solar farm and a hydroscheme in Hawke's Bay. Once construction is completed, testing and commissioning will get underway, and the station is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. Eastland Generation's overall operating capacity will increase from 69MW to 118MW, and generation from 477GWh to 898GWh. The company is actively exploring additional renewal energy projects, with a development pipeline including further geothermal and solar opportunities. Eastland Generation has partnered with Marex to support TOPP2's electricity sales and is now undertaking a Request for Proposal process with interested parties and market participants. 'As an independent generator, working with Marex gives us access to a diverse range of customers and deeper insights into what customers, including industry, really need. 'We're open to discussing a range of contract options to suit potential purchasers, including Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, Contract for Differences, and direct contracting,' says Ms Pettigrew.
Scoop
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Eastland Generation Goes To Market With Offtake Tender
New Zealand's latest geothermal power plant is on track to be commissioned towards the end of 2025. Eastland Generation is now going to market seeking tenders for the offtake. TOPP2, a 49MW Ormat binary plant, is situated on the Kawerau Geothermal Reservoir, and its completion will mark several major milestones for Eastland Generation. 'This is our largest geothermal project to date, and showcases our partnership approach to development,' says Eastland Generation Chief Executive Alice Pettigrew. 'It's a unique project, with Ngāti Tūwharetoa Geothermal Assets Limited (NTGA) providing a long-term supply of geothermal energy to the station and managing the wells and steam field. Land is leased from Ngāti Tūwharetoa Holdings Ltd. With the supply of geothermal heat to the new station, TOPP2 will be NTGA's largest customer. 'When TOPP2 is fully operational, Eastland Generation will have achieved the next phase of its growth strategy, bringing our total renewable energy generation portfolio to well over 100MW. 'Notably, this is also our first major geothermal project since Obayashi Corporation acquired a 50% stake in the company in April last year.' TOPP2 is part of Eastland Generation's diverse renewable energy portfolio that includes three other geothermal power plants in the Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti's first utility scale solar farm and a hydroscheme in Hawke's Bay. Once construction is completed, testing and commissioning will get underway, and the station is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year. Eastland Generation's overall operating capacity will increase from 69MW to 118MW, and generation from 477GWh to 898GWh. The company is actively exploring additional renewal energy projects, with a development pipeline including further geothermal and solar opportunities. Eastland Generation has partnered with Marex to support TOPP2's electricity sales and is now undertaking a Request for Proposal process with interested parties and market participants. 'As an independent generator, working with Marex gives us access to a diverse range of customers and deeper insights into what customers, including industry, really need. 'We're open to discussing a range of contract options to suit potential purchasers, including Corporate Power Purchase Agreements, Contract for Differences, and direct contracting,' says Ms Pettigrew.
