Green light for BESS

Worry after battery plant gets go-ahead

A two-year planning battle amid fears of toxic gas clouds, devastating fires, explosions and contaminated water has ended in defeat for local residents, who believe their concerns were ignored after plans for a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) near Cavan Town were finally sanctioned.

A BESS facility captures electricity produced by solar panels during peak sunlight hours and stores it in high-capacity batteries for later use.

In a statement issued to the Celt in reaction to An Coimisiún Pleanála upholding an earlier planning decision by Cavan County Council, residents in the Shankill Lower described the outcome as “profoundly disappointing” for the community.

They say local people had engaged “constructively and in good faith” throughout the planning and subsequent appeals process, raising what they claim to be “serious and legitimate concerns” about the suitability of a development of this scale and nature so close to homes.

“What is particularly difficult for people to accept is the sense that, despite the considerable time, effort and expertise invested by local residents in articulating their concerns, the voices of those who will live alongside this development have not carried any weight or bearing in the final decision,” the residents' statement said.

They state that they are not opposed to renewable energy or the infrastructure required to support Ireland’s transition to a more sustainable energy system.

“However, that transition must be achieved responsibly, with appropriate developments in appropriate locations and with the safety, environment and wellbeing of local communities afforded proper consideration,” they say.

“There is a deep sense of disappointment locally. This community deserved to have its concerns heard, carefully considered and reflected in the decision-making process.”

Appeal

The decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála clears the way, unless there is a further legal challenge, for Letterkenny-registered Accelerate Renewables Limited to build the controversial energy storage facility at Shankill Lower, about 3.5km east of Cavan Town. Concerns about uncontrollable fires, poisonous gases, combustible vapour clouds and violent explosions were voiced throughout the appeal by four named appellants: Derek and Amanda Grant, Lorraine and Martin McGovern, Nancy Conaty and Thomas Reilly.

The residents also questioned whether emergency services have the equipment, training, supplies and access needed to tackle a major battery incident, warning of potentially catastrophic consequences if lithium-ion batteries enter thermal runaway.

The Commission ultimately sanctioned the project, concluding that it would not create unacceptable risks, subject to a lengthy list of conditions.

Fire fears

The prospect of a major battery fire was central to the appellants’ case.

During the original planning process with Cavan County Council, the Chief Fire Officer sought further information on the proposed firefighting arrangements, including water supplies, deflagration panels and access for emergency appliances.

In response, the developer submitted a Fire Protection Concept and Fire Mitigation Strategy.

A further flashpoint emerged when the developer revised the proposal to increase the number of battery containers. The original scheme envisaged 48 containers, each capable of holding battery storage units of up to 2.25MW. The revised scheme increased this by more than a third, to 66.

Opponents argued the change could increase the scale of any potential consequences. Residents, who had highlighted the site’s proximity to schools and a nursing home, said it represented more than a minor alteration and that the implications of a major fire, explosion or other emergency therefore needed to be reconsidered.

Accelerate Renewables disputed this, saying the revised configuration was driven by fire-safety considerations. The new containers were substantially smaller than those originally proposed, while the number of Power Conversion System units fell from 12 to 11 and Power Control Centre units from two to one.

Contamination

Fire was not the only major environmental concern raised by residents.

They feared the impact on the Annagelliff River if a major battery blaze required thousands of litres of water to extinguish.

The river runs through the site, flowing north along its eastern boundary before turning west through the northern section. Opponents warned that contaminated firefighting water could enter the river, threatening wildlife and potentially affecting water quality downstream.

Questions were also raised over whether sufficient firefighting water would be available during a major battery incident.

Uisce Éireann confirmed that the existing 125mm watermain did not have sufficient capacity to provide the required firefighting flow. It recommended dedicated firefighting storage, with a minimum 12-hour refill period and ideally 24 hours.

The final permission requires Accelerate Renewables to enter into a water connection agreement with Uisce Éireann before construction begins. Additional drainage and water-quality safeguards have also been imposed following consultation with Inland Fisheries Ireland.

Answers sought

The scale of the concerns became clear in November 2025, when An Coimisiún Pleanála identified what it described as “information deficiencies”.

Accelerate Renewables subsequently submitted a Fire Risk Management Plan, Emergency Response Plan, Flood Risk Assessment, Drainage Plan, Construction and Environmental Management Plan, Natura Impact Statement, revised EIA Screening Report and revised Noise Impact Assessment.

The submissions generated more than 30 further representations.

Before construction can begin, the developer must submit final Fire Risk Management and Emergency Response Plans to Cavan County Council. They must be prepared by suitably qualified personnel and agreed with the planning authority, with input from the Chief Fire Officer. The facility must then be built and operated in accordance with those terms.

Construction must commence and be completed within a 10-year period.

When the facility reaches the end of its operating life, the battery containers, control building and associated infrastructure must be removed unless further planning permission is obtained. A detailed restoration and decommissioning plan must also be agreed before construction begins.

The developer must provide financial security, such as a cash deposit or insurance bond, to ensure funds are available to restore the site at the end of its operational life.

Strict controls

Residents also raised concerns about security lighting and light pollution. No artificial lighting can be installed or operated without prior planning permission.

CCTV must be directed into the site and cannot be aimed at neighbouring homes or the public road. Perimeter fencing is also subject to conditions intended to allow wildlife to move through the site.

Noise will be tightly controlled. At the nearest noise-sensitive location, levels cannot exceed 55 dB(A) between 8am and 10pm from Monday to Saturday, or 45 dB(A) outside of these hours.

The developer must also agree a detailed Construction and Environmental Management Plan covering traffic, drainage, noise, working hours, construction methods and waste disposal. Construction will be restricted to specified hours, with measures required to prevent mud, soil and debris being carried onto adjoining public roads.

Grid connection

Although the BESS is intended to store electricity for the national grid, the planning permission does not authorise the grid connection.

The Commission expressly states that its permission cannot be interpreted as consent for the connection, its route or its design. Those arrangements must be determined with EirGrid or ESB.