Kentstown residents shock and disbelief at power plant plan

Serious concerns have been voiced about plans for a 180 megawatt gas fired peaking power plant near Kentstown, with a large crowd of worried locals attending a public meeting on the proposal last week.

Polarisgate Ltd is seeking a 10-year planning permission for the development consisting of three open cycle gas turbine generators each with a 30m high stack on a 19-acre site at Curraghtown, Brownstown. The plant, if approved would have a 40-year operation period and would provide back-up electricity to the national grid.

Residents of Kentstown and the surrounding rural areas turned out in force for the meeting on Tuesday, 5th November, led by a committee formed by local residents who say there were "gasps and reactions of shock, disbelief and strong disapproval" from the crowd as a summary of the proposal was given.

There was a lot of input from attendees and concerns were raised about the risk to human health and the impact of the plant day-to-day lives of so many people living in proximity to the site.

The committee stated that the proposed site is right beside the Knockharley Landfill site and that residents are being "expected to accept this further huge development in the area and the potential combined impact of both sites on their lives".

"It cannot be underestimated, the level of stress, disbelief and upset felt by many local residents, who have lived here their whole lives or are raising a family in the impacted area," the committee said as it urged residents to get their submissions in to Meath County Council before the closing date this Thursday, 14th November.

Gregory Chmieleis, who lives on the proposed haul route said he was strongly opposed to the plant due to its environmental, sustainability, and infrastructure impacts. "Firstly, the reliance on a gas-powered facility as an energy source reflects outdated technology that is neither sustainable nor efficient. Gas-powered plants are known for their relatively low energy efficiency compared to alternative renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar, which are readily available and continuously improving in both technology and cost-effectiveness.

"By moving forward with this facility, we are committing to a source of energy that increases pollution in our region and prolongs dependence on fossil fuels. This goes against the global push for cleaner energy solutions and fails to consider the well-documented environmental impacts, including increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants, which will affect the quality of life for residents and contribute to climate change."

He added that he is also concerned about the proposed haulage route, which would bring heavy construction and operational traffic directly past his home. "This road, measuring just three metres wide, is already under strain from existing light traffic. Introducing large vehicles on this narrow route would create severe traffic congestion, heighten safety risks, and likely lead to accelerated road deterioration".

Another resident Bobby Farrell said: "Anything kept as under the radar as this plant has been, raised more fears, concerns and questions than it does answers. What are we not being told?”

Local resident Robert Roe who lives beside the proposed entrance gate said: "We are very concerned about the heavy traffic involved in the construction stages in particular, as all of this would pass within six metres of our house. The proposed activities have significant potential to give rise to fire, noise, dust, light and odour emissions."

Lorraine Finegan, whose back garden looks out at the proposed site said: “This disgraceful proposal cannot be put on this community to live with, it just cannot. I am shocked and angered that this is even being proposed for this area. It is of huge concern regarding the emissions." She fears it could be let run 365 days a year despite being referred to as only being for when there is a power surge or extra demand.

"The impact on our landscape is not acceptable, we can see from the submission that it will be seen from Knowth very easily, from the Hill of Tara, Hill of Slane. This is not just going to be an eyesore for so many of us here in the community and our primary school, it will be visible much further afield."

She also said on a national scale, this "flies in the face" of everything our Government is saying they are committed to when it comes to Carbon Emissions’ reductions and the legally binding commitments they have given for reduction of same per the Paris Agreement. "How can this be even considered at the same time as telling people we will be charged bigger and bigger carbon taxes for using fossil fuel to run cars, heat homes?? It’s simply not right – gas is a fossil fuel, it is not green energy. This just cannot go ahead, it is wrong."

Efforts have been made to contact the applicant company, through their agents, regarding the proposal.