ESB Renewable Grid Transition Programme

West Offaly Power Station (WOP) and Lough Ree Power Station (LRP)

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Water & Ecology

Industry

Mining

Location

Ireland

AWN Consulting, a Trinity Consultants team, was appointed by ESB to provide Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services for the demolition of the former West Offaly Power Station (WOP) and Lough Ree Power Station (LRP), together with the development of new grid services infrastructure at both sites. The projects formed a key part of ESB’s strategy to repurpose former peat-fired generation assets and support Ireland’s transition towards a more sustainable and resilient electricity network.

Our multidisciplinary team provided end-to-end environmental and planning support throughout the project lifecycle. Services included the review of existing environmental data and historical assessment reports, EIA Screening, EIA Scoping, preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports (EIARs), Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening Reports, Natura Impact Statements (NIS), stakeholder engagement and public consultation. AWN also coordinated the wider specialist consultant team and managed all environmental inputs required for the planning process.

The EIARs addressed all aspects of the proposed developments including demolition activities, construction works and the future operation of grid service infrastructure. In addition, AWN completed comprehensive Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) risk assessments to evaluate potential operational and fire safety risks associated with energy storage technologies, ensuring that robust mitigation and management measures were incorporated into the overall project design and planning strategy.

Challenge

The redevelopment of both stations extended beyond the traditional requirements of an Environmental Impact Assessment. While the projects involved demolition of large-scale power generation infrastructure and development of modern grid services, the associated environmental and regulatory obligations presented significant challenges.

A key challenge was the requirement to restore the former power station sites, including underground peat storage areas, to a condition acceptable to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to facilitate the future surrender of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) licences. The long operational history of both facilities required careful consideration of environmental liabilities, hydrogeological conditions and long-term site restoration objectives.

A second major challenge involved the management of substantial quantities of material arising from the demolition of the power stations. ESB sought to develop sustainable solutions that would maximise material recovery and minimise off-site disposal while ensuring environmental protection and regulatory compliance.

These challenges were further complicated by the proximity of sensitive ecological and hydrological receptors, the need to maintain ongoing stakeholder confidence and the requirement to assess the introduction of Battery Energy Storage Systems and associated fire and operational risks. Delivering a solution that addressed environmental, engineering and regulatory requirements simultaneously required close collaboration between multiple technical disciplines and regulators.

Solutions

AWN established and managed the complete Environmental Impact Assessment process for both developments, commencing with a comprehensive review of existing environmental data, historic EIARs, Annual Environmental Reports, Natura Impact Statements and previous ecological studies. A detailed gap analysis informed the scope of additional surveys and assessments required for the projects.

The team managed the EIA Screening and Scoping processes before coordinating the preparation of two comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Reports covering demolition activities and future grid service infrastructure. Appropriate Assessment Screening Reports and Natura Impact Statements were also completed for both sites.

Beyond the statutory assessments, AWN worked closely with ESB to address two of the most significant project challenges. Detailed hydrogeological investigations, conceptual site modelling and regulatory reviews were undertaken to develop a strategy for restoring the former peat storage areas and supporting the eventual surrender of the EPA Industrial Emissions licences.

AWN also developed a number of sustainable material management solutions for demolition arisings. For example, following extensive technical and regulatory assessment, opportunities were identified to beneficially reuse suitable demolition materials within the below-ground peat storage voids. This approach reduced waste export requirements, minimised the environmental footprint of demolition activities and supported circular economy objectives while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.

In parallel, AWN led stakeholder engagement with Longford County Council, Offaly County Council and other key consultees, coordinated public consultation events and completed full Battery Energy Storage System risk assessments to support the proposed future grid infrastructure.

Services Performed

AWN Consulting, a Trinity Consultants team, provided comprehensive environmental, planning, and regulatory services for ESB’s redevelopment of the former West Offaly and Lough Ree Power Stations, including EIA, EIAR, Appropriate Assessment, stakeholder consultation, licensing support, and BESS risk assessments. AWN also developed sustainable site restoration and demolition material reuse strategies to support regulatory compliance and the transition of the former peat-fired stations to grid-support infrastructure.

Environmental Assessment & Permitting

Permitting & Regulatory Strategy

Planning Applications & Development

Results

The WOP and LRP projects demonstrate AWN’s ability to deliver integrated environmental, planning and regulatory solutions for large-scale energy transition projects.

Through comprehensive environmental assessment and stakeholder engagement, AWN provided ESB with the technical evidence required to advance planning and consenting processes while addressing challenging environmental constraints. The projects successfully integrated demolition planning, future grid infrastructure development and environmental protection within a single coordinated strategy.

One of the project’s most significant achievements was the development of practical and sustainable solutions for both site restoration and demolition material management. By undertaking detailed hydrogeological assessments and extensive engagement with regulators, AWN identified viable approaches for restoring the former peat storage facilities and supporting the long-term environmental objectives associated with EPA licence surrender.

Combined with the delivery of full BESS risk assessments and multidisciplinary EIARs, these measures provided ESB with a clear pathway for transforming former peat-fired generating stations into strategic renewable energy and grid support assets, contributing to Ireland’s decarbonisation and energy security objectives.