Green light given for biodiversity plant in Tipperary location

Tipperary County Council has granted planning permission for an anaerobic digestion plant to be constructed on the site of the former Lisheen Mine, just outside of Thurles.

The application was submitted by Nua Bioenergy Limited.

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The intention of the plant is to provide a modern facility for bio-based fertiliser production, while quelling Ireland’s greenhouse gas output.

According to the proposal submitted by Purser, on behalf of Nua Bioenergy: “The proposed development offers a state-of-the-art biomethane and bio-based fertiliser production facility designed to significantly boost Ireland’s biogas output. This facility will play a pivotal role in mitigating agricultural waste and curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the agricultural sector. By aligning with the strategic goals of the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022-2028, and fulfilling both national and regional policy objectives, this project demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable energy practices and environmental stewardship.”

The project will see the development of four primary digester tanks standing at 7.6 metres, three secondary digester tanks standing at 14.5 metres, four feed hoppers, four technical rooms, two biogas conditioning units, and process, storage and buffer tanks.

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The proposed development will also consist of feedstock storage, a biomethane upgrading plant, a biomethane loading facility, a biomass boiler with its associated pellet storage silo, Combined Heat and Power plant and associated heat exchanger, a single storey bio-based fertiliser processing and storage unit, a single storey office building, bin storage, nine car parking spaces, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, ten bicycle parking spaces, vehicular, cyclist and pedestrian access/egress and associated circulation routes, two weighbridges, a vehicle steam wash area, fuel storage tank and associated bund, an emergency flare, a process area runoff lagoon, an attenuation pond, an ESB sub-station, boundary treatments, site lighting, all hard and soft landscaping, provision of sustainable urban drainage systems, and all other associated site excavation, infrastructural and all other associated site excavation, infrastructural and site development works above and below ground, including changes in level and associated retaining features, and associated site servicing.