Energy firm pulls plug on Larne green power plant

Back in 2013, Dublin-based renewable energy company Gaelectric announced its intention to build a compressed air energy storage (CAES) facility – only the third of its kind anywhere in the world – on the outskirts of the town.

The project would see the creation of underground caverns to store energy in the form of compressed air, which would then be released to generate electricity when demand is high.

Salt deposits about 600-900m below ground at Carnduff had been selected as an ideal location for the storage caverns to be created, with a power station to be located directly above.

But Gaelectric has told the Times that a recent technological breakthrough has presented the company with an opportunity to use alternative sites, particularly in the Islandmagee area, where the salt layer reaches greater depths of up to 1800m.

Patrick McClughan, head of corporate affairs for Gaelectric, confirmed the company is now shelving its plans for the Carnduff site and shifting its focus to Islandmagee.

He added: “As the project design has progressed, we have considered alternative technologies and routes that would allow for increased efficiency and reduced environmental impacts.

“An alternative technology, which has been successfully investigated since mid-2014, conclusively allows CAES technology to operate at greater depths.

“We are now actively searching for sites in the Islandmagee area, with particular focus on the area between Ballylumford power station and the Moyle Interconnector.

“The CAES station will require connections to electricity and natural gas networks, as well as pipelines to the coast for brine. Locating the facility in Islandmagee would significantly reduce its impact on the environment, as well as increase the capacity for electricity generation from 268MW to a potential 330MW.”

Gaelectric plans to carry out test drilling in the area later this year and will be carrying out consultation sessions with the local community.

Mr McClughan added: “We have already spoken to land owners and will be carrying out a leaflet drop in the area, as well as holding consultation events to update residents on the way forward and gather their views on the matter.”

Concerns had previously been expressed by local environmentalists regarding the planned facility at Carnduff, including fears that the brine would cause severe damage to local marine life.

Anne Mundell, who lives on Carrickfergus Road close to Carnduff, told the Times she was pleased that Gaelectric’s focus had shifted elsewhere, but added that she is still be opposed to the project “in principle”.

Mrs Mundell voiced her fears regarding the possibility of sinkholes being created, as has happened due to the collapse of man-made caverns. A collapse at Bayou Corne in Louisiana forced 350 residents to leave their homes.

“This type of technology has led to a lot of trouble in other parts of the world, and what concerns me most is the impact the project could have on our children and grandchildren in 20 or 30 years’ time,” Mrs Mundell added.

Gaelectric has stated that the design and geology of the facility at Bayou Corne are “markedly different” to what the company is proposing in the Larne area.

Gaelectric says it hopes to submit a planning application for the Islandmagee project by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, oil and gas exploration company Infrastrata is also forging ahead with plans to create a gas storage project at Islandmagee. The £400m project involves the creation of underground caverns to store 500 million cubic metres of natural gas a mile beneath Larne Lough.