Minister approves plans for a biomass fuelled power plant

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today announced his intention to approve plans for a biomass fuelled power plant at Glenavy, Co. Antrim.

The planning application by Rose Energy Limited was designated under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order in September 2008. The power plant will be fuelled by poultry bedding and meat and bone meal producing approximately 30MW of electricity as an output of the incineration process.

The Minister said: “The power plant facility will create in the region of 300-400 construction jobs and approximately 30 permanent jobs in the operation of the facility once constructed. It will also have indirect employment and investment benefits in connection with Belfast Port and the haulage industry in Northern Ireland.”

The poultry industry generates an income of more than £2million to Belfast Port and the main poultry producers. It imports 680,000 tonnes of feed annually which generates significant haulage work to enable distribution across the region.

A biomass fuelled incineration plant is currently recognised as the only proven technology for processing poultry litter on a commercial scale that significantly reduces the volume of litter to be disposed off. This type of plant can help Northern Ireland comply with the EU Nitrates Directive and avoid potential EU infraction costs.

The Minister concluded: “I am fully aware of both the opposition and support for the power plant, and that I have a judgement to make between the benefits of the proposal to the poultry industry and the Northern Ireland economy and the potential adverse impacts on residential amenity and the landscape setting. Having given the proposal careful consideration, including visiting the site and viewing it from Lough Neagh, I am satisfied that on balance it should be approved.

“This type of investment is necessary to further stimulate the local economy, something the Executive is striving to secure. It is an example of investment that can contribute in many ways, providing long-term work, generating power, supporting local agriculture, and related industries.”

Notes to editors:

1. The application was submitted on 4 June 2008 by Rose Energy Ltd, accompanied by an environmental statement.
2. It was designated as a major application under Article 31 of the Planning (NI) Order 1991 on 23 September 2008.
3. The application seeks full planning permission for Biomass Fuelled Power Plant which will be fuelled by poultry bedding and meat and bone meal (approximately 260,000 tonnes annually) with the production of approximately 30MW of electricity as an output of the incineration process.
4. An Expert Group on Alternative Uses of Manure technical report concluded that combustion is the only technology for processing poultry litter that is currently proven on a commercial scale and that significantly reduces the volume of material to be disposed off.
5. The Department has received a considerable number of representations both in support of, (6342 letters and 4 petitions) and objecting to, (6733 letters and 1 petition ) the proposal.
6. A wide range of bodies have been consulted on the application including Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, NI Water, Lisburn City Council, Antrim Borough Council and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
7. For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.