EU Energy Commissioner visits the midlands to discuss Bord na Móna's future plans
The European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, was in Offaly today (Friday) for discussions about Bord na Móna's climate adaptation plans.
Commissioner Simson visited Mountlucas, where she saw at firsthand Bord na Móna's work in peatland rehabilitation, and renewable energy.
She heard about Bord na Móna’s ambition to develop Ireland’s first dedicated renewable energy business park on 3,000 hectares of its landbank in Meath, Offaly and Westmeath.
The Bord na Móna Energy Park is being planned at peatlands close to Junction 3 of the M6 Motorway at Rochfortbridge in Westmeath.
It is expected to potentially co-locate 200MW+ of electricity directly beside businesses locating in the energy park.
The electricity would be generated from renewable sources such as wind, solar, energy storage and green hydrogen production.
Bord na Móna said it expects that the the energy park would be attractive for "Industrial and high-demand energy users such as large-scale distribution facilities and data centres," as the co-located approach was "more sustainable and has lower environmental impact".
A planning application for the energy park is being prepared for submission to planning authorities next year.
Commenting on her local visit, the Commissioner Simson said: "Across the EU, member states recognise that we need to diversify our energy supplies in order to make the best use of our infrastructure while doing the right thing for our planet.
"Bord na Móna’s work is impressive and important. From peatland rehabilitation and recycling to renewable energy resources, they demonstrate how climate solutions can also support economic growth and development.
"The proposed energy park is a model for renewable infrastructure that helps businesses be more sustainable and climate friendly in their day-to-day operations."
Bord na Móna chief executive Tom Donnellan said the company was delighted to welcome Commissioner Simson to Mountlucas.
"Securing independent energy supply is a critical issue for Europe, and Bord na Móna is playing our part in energy transition and creating a more sustainable future for Ireland," he said.
"We shared with the Commissioner details of our investment in green energy solutions and our plans to build Ireland's first energy park.
"This ambitious project will reduce Ireland’s reliance on national grid infrastructure and will increase self-sufficiency and energy security in the country while meeting the needs of the national and regional economies."
The company's Peatlands Climate Action Scheme (PCAS) involves rehabilitating approximately 33,000 hectares of Bord na Móna peatlands previously used for energy production over the past number of decades.