Plans unveiled for €2 billion green energy plant in Carlow
Rathrush Green Energy Park is proposed to be based close to Rathoe Net Zero Energy
Plans have been unveiled for a new €2 billion green energy park in Carlow.
Rathrush Green Energy Park is proposed to be based close to Rathoe Net Zero Energy, which aims to employ 1,500 people during the construction phase, according to KCLR.
Once the project is completed, 70 long-term jobs will be made available.
Councillors in Carlow heard plans for the “most significant” renewable energy project earlier this week.
Planning permission has not yet been granted for the project; if it is, it will use any extra wind and solar energy to generate green hydrogen.
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It will then be stored deep underground before being converted into electricity.
The facility will use surplus renewable electricity to separate hydrogen from wastewater in a process called hydrolysis.
It is estimated to save 180,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per annum, which is the equivalent of taking approximately 40,000 cars off the road, according to the Irish Independent.
“The project will use surplus renewable energy generated off-site, which is currently being lost as a result of a lack of demand at certain times and inadequate grid capacity to absorb power,” the New Zero Energy website states.
Locals have raised concerns regarding the lack of public consultation, with some hearing about it for the first time at the start of the week when leaflets were dropped through letterboxes.
The CEO of Net Zero Energy, Peter Harte, told KCLR that his company will be engaging fully with the local community.
Meanwhile, the Carlow County Council Chief Executive has stated that the local authority is still trying to grasp the extent of the project.
The developer is hoping to lodge a planning application for the project by the end of this year.