3.4 Principal Design Objectives · located within the existing ConocoPhillips oil refinery ......

Bord Gáis Éireann Whitegate Independent Power PlantEnvironmental Impact Statement

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2 Arup Consulting EngineersIssue 1 8 August 2006

The site of the proposed plant is within an area designated in the Cork County Development Plan 2003 as Scenic Landscape and is also close to a Scenic Route. (Cork County Development Plan 2003 Volume 4, Heritage and Scenic Amenity Map 16). The portion of this Scenic Route closest to the site is in the private ownership of ConocoPhillips.

3.4 Principal Design Objectives The plant will be designed to operate on natural gas as the primary fuel, which will be augmented with a supply of refinery off gas (ROG) from the ConocoPhillips facility. The back-up fuel will be 0.2% sulphur diesel oil also supplied from the refinery facilities.

The primary objectives of the proposed development are to:

• sell electrical power through the Eirgrid 220 kV transmission system

• increase the base load installed capacity of the electrical generating plant in Ireland by December 2009, to meet the anticipated increase in system demand by that date

• provide 50 tonnes per hour of high-pressure (45 barg) steam to the neighbouring refinery

• reduce the proportion of greenhouse gas emissions per MW of electricity generated by the use of high efficiency plant, and the use of refinery off gas (ROG) from the refinery, thus contributing to Ireland’s objectives in complying with its obligations under the Kyoto protocol.

Fossil fuel based power plants by their nature emit carbon dioxide. However due to the higher thermal efficiency of a CCGT plant, mass emissions of CO2 per kWh are relatively low, when compared with traditional open cycle technology.

The new power plant will be located within a 10-hectare section of land within the overall boundary of the refinery site and will use the latest technology gas turbine units to meet the above objectives.

This type of power station operates successfully in many locations in Ireland, for example at Tynagh (Galway), at Huntstown, Ringsend and Poolbeg (Dublin).

It is intended to operate the plant continuously for approximately 8,000 hours per annum.

The contract to supply and construct this plant will be by open international competition. The result of a tendering process will be the award of a contract for a particular model of gas turbine. Therefore, the final size, configuration and layout of the equipment will be finalised following the award of the contract. However, consideration of environmental impacts is on the basis of the largest anticipated size of plant envisaged.

3.5 Design Constraints 3.5.1 Type of Cooling System

As discussed in section 2.4 of this EIS, visual impact and ecological issues were significant factors in the decision to use air cooled condensers in the design.

3.5.2 Landscape and Visual

The site of the proposed plant is within an area designated in the Cork County Development Plan 2003 as Scenic Landscape and is also close to a Scenic Route. (Cork County Development Plan 2003 Volume 4, Heritage and Scenic Amenity Map 16). The portion of this Scenic Route closest to the site is in the private ownership of ConocoPhillips.

Special attention has been paid both to the design and siting of the proposed development and also to appropriate landscaping. The proposed system uses the technique of air-cooled condensing, which is the least visible of the cooling types. In addition, there will be no significant visible emissions when the plant is firing on gas which, apart from a limited

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Page 13 Arup Consulting EngineersIssue 1 8 August 2006

portion of the year when the plant is firing on light distillate oil, will be the primary fuel for the plant. When firing on distillate, there is a visible plume at start-up, for about 30 minutes.

3.5.3 Surface Water

The site works will require the diversion of the section of the Glenagow stream that flows through the site.

3.5.4 Risk Classification of Neighbouring Sites

Two neighbouring sites (the refinery, and the Calor depot) are establishments to which the ‘top tier’ requirements of the Seveso �� directive applies (Seveso �� Directive 96/82/EC and Directive 2003/105/EC). The risk classification of these sites was taken into consideration during the design process, in particular with regard to the positioning of occupied offices of the proposed development in relation to these sites.

3.6 Main Features of the Project The plant has been designed in accordance with current guidance on best available techniques (BAT).

3.6.1 General Plant Layout

The proposed development will comprise a CCGT plant of approximately 440MW capacity located within the existing ConocoPhillips oil refinery site. Natural gas supplied from the BGE grid will be the main fuel for the plant. The electrical power will be exported from the new 220kV substation to be constructed at the Whitegate IPP site through a 220 kV underground cable, which in turn will be connected to the existing 220 kV transmission system at a point to be determined by Eirgrid.

The Whitegate IPP plant will be located in a 10 hectare fenced area within the overall ConocoPhillips refinery site. Two configurations for the plant are possible. The ‘single shaft’ arrangement consists of gas turbine, steam turbine and generator arranged on a single shaft or powertrain. The alternative ‘multi-shaft’ option would have a gas turbine and steam turbine, each with its own dedicated generator. The final choice between single shaft and multi-shaft designs will be made on technical and economic grounds, following a competitive tender process. The layouts included with the planning application are based on a ‘two-shaft’ arrangement. The general layout of the plant is shown in Figure 3.3.

3.6.2 Plant Design

The CCGT plant will utilise the following process: • A gas turbine generator (GTG) burning natural gas will drive a generator for electricity

production. • Exhaust gases from the gas turbine will pass through a heat recovery steam generator

(HRSG) to generate very high-pressure steam. • The steam generated in the HRSG will drive a steam turbine, which will turn a generator

to provide further electrical power. • A supplementary-fired burner will be provided in the inlet to the HRSG to burn both

natural gas and refinery off gas (ROG), which will produce the 50 tonnes per hour of high-pressure steam for the refinery.

The proposed plant will employ the most recently developed CCGT technology. The design of the complete installation will comply with all relevant international codes.

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3.6.3 Plant Components

The principal components of the plant are as follows:

• gas turbine generator

• HRSG with exhaust stack

• steam turbine generator

• oil storage tank

• water treatment plant and water storage facilities comprising bulk storage tanks

• air cooled condenser (ACC)

• above ground gas installation (AGI) and piping to supply the new plant

• transformers

• high voltage electrical switchgear

• fire protection system with on site storage tanks

• a by-pass stack for the gas turbine to allow it to operate in isolation from the steam turbine

• 220 kV substation

• building structures to house main plant as described above

• workshop/stores building

• administration/control building

• internal roads and parking

• access road to the site.

3.7 Processes and Facilities 3.7.1 Power Generation Process

The gas turbine consists of an air compressor, a combustion chamber, a turbine and an electrical generator coupled together on one main shaft, which rotates at high speed.

The air compressor takes in large quantities of filtered air from the atmosphere and compresses it into the combustion chamber from where it expands through the turbine. Fuel is then injected into the combustion chamber and ignited. The addition of heat energy and combustion gases in the combustion chamber raises the temperature of the combined gases to over 1300oC and greatly increases the velocity of these gases through the turbine. The effect of this high velocity gas through the turbine drives both the air compressor to supply the air and the electricity generator to produce the rated electrical power output. The expansion of the hot gases through the turbine, and the extraction of mechanical work from them via the turbine, reduces the temperature of the gases to approximately 600oC.

Operation of a gas turbine as described above is referred to as open or simple cycle mode. However it is possible to generate approximately 50% more electricity from the hot exhaust gases by diverting them through the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) boiler, which extracts heat to make steam, which in turn drives a steam turbine generator. The temperature of the hot gases is reduced in this process to approximately 100oC. They are discharged to the atmosphere via a 60-meter high exhaust gas stack located at the outlet of the HRSG.

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Normally air has a 21% volume oxygen (O2) content. During the gas turbine combustion process the O2 content falls to 14-16% volume. Therefore, there is a sufficient amount of oxygen to support further supplementary combustion of both natural gas and refinery off-gas (ROG) in a supplementary-fired burner, located at the inlet to the HRSG. The additional high-pressure steam produced by supplementary firing will amount to 50 tonnes per hour and this steam will be supplied to the adjacent ConocoPhillips refinery, and alternatively can be used to generate additional electricity through the steam turbine.

Most of the high-pressure steam produced will be supplied through inter-connecting pipework to the steam turbine and will then be exhausted to the air cooled condenser. The balance of the steam (50 tonnes per hour) will be supplied to the refinery.

Make-up water for the HRSG will initially be drawn from the public mains, treated in the water treatment plant to achieve high purity and then stored prior to use.

The electricity generated will be fed to a transformer where the voltage is stepped up to 220 kV.

Large quantities of low-pressure steam from the steam turbine generator will be condensed before returning to the Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) as feed-water where it will be converted to high pressure and temperature steam. This low-pressure steam must be cooled and converted to hot water in the ACC. The condensing process requires large quantities of cold air to cool the steam to condensate.

Air Cooled Condensers (ACC) do not include a cooling water circuit. In the air cooled configuration the steam is ducted to a large array of air cooled condenser tubes located at some distance from the steam turbine. Air is forced through the finned condenser tubes by an array of electrically driven forced draught fans. Heat is transferred from the steam to the air, effectively condensing the steam to hot water (condensate). Air-cooled condensers are typically arranged in ‘A’ frames and require a considerable amount of plot plan area.

This description covers both the single shaft and the multi-shaft arrangement.

3.7.2 Plant Efficiency

The plant will have an efficiency of approximately 55%, that is, 55% of the thermal energy of the fuel will be converted to electrical energy. Most of the heat loss will be via the air cooled condenser (ACC) from the low-pressure steam to the ambient air. The remainder of the overall cycle losses can be accounted for as both mechanical and electrical losses within the plant. The plant will employ best available techniques (BAT) recognised for being the most advanced for power production on the scale proposed. The high overall efficiency will lead to lower specific emissions to the environment generally compared to any other form of conventional thermal power plant.

3.7.3 Plant Facilities

3.7.3.1 Above Ground Installation

The fuel (natural) gas will be supplied from the BGE gas network at 8 barg minimum and 15oC. This gas will pass through a gas conditioning plant located in the AGI compound and will comprise:

• liquid and dust separator

• dew point heater/boiler unit

• gas compressor

• filter separator

• pressure reducing station

• electrical switchroom/ control room.

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3.7.3.2 Gas Turbine Generator

The GTG will comprise a multi-stage axial-flow compressor section with movable inlet guide vanes, a combustion chamber with several burners, and a multi-stage axial-flow turbine section. Natural gas will be burned using air from the air compressor. The hot combustion gases will pass through the turbine blades. Mechanical energy will be converted to electrical energy in the electrical generator coupled to the gas turbine. The exhaust gas will pass to the heat recovery steam generator.

3.7.3.3 Heat Recovery Steam Generator

Exhaust gases from the gas turbine will be used to produce the high-pressure steam, most of which will feed a steam turbine. The cooled exhaust gas will then be expelled to the atmosphere via a 60-meter high stack. The HRSG will be multi-pressure type.

3.7.3.4 Exhaust Gas and Bypass Stack

A 60 metre high stack will be provided to release the products of the combustion process (exhaust gases) to the atmosphere. A 45 metre high bypass stack will also be provided to allow the gas turbine generator to operate independently, that is, in open cycle mode in the event of the unavailability of the HRSG and steam turbine generator.

3.7.3.5 Back-up Fuel

Although the CCGT will normally be fuelled by natural gas, fuel oil storage and pumping facilities will also be provided. To comply with the requirements of the Commission of Electricity Regulation (CER), the storage capacity of the back-up fuel supply should be such as to allow the plant to be operated continuously at its full output for a period of 5 days. This back-up supply shall be provided from the existing storage facilities at the ConocoPhillips Refinery at Whitegate, which eliminates the need for the road tanker deliveries, normally associated with a plant of this type, and enhances the security of supply characteristics of the facility. However, a 24 hour (2,000 cubic metres) capacity storage tank will be provided within the power plant facility.

3.7.3.6 Supplementary Firing

An in-line duct burner will be provided to burn both natural gas available from the BGE network and refinery off gas that will be available from the refinery. The additional heat released from the supplementary firing system will be used to raise an additional 50 tonnes per hour of high-pressure steam at high efficiency, and will be supplied to the refinery, or alternatively used to generate added electricity through the steam turbine.

3.7.3.7 Steam Turbine Generator

The steam turbine will be of a multiple cylinder type suitable for direct coupling to a two-pole generator for power generation at 50 Hz. The thermal energy of the steam generated by the HRSG will be converted to mechanical energy in order to drive a generator to produce electrical power. The low-pressure exhaust steam will flow radially out of the steam turbine to the air cooled condenser.

3.7.3.8 Air Cooled Condenser

The low-pressure exhaust steam will pass through the finned tube condenser tubes over which cooling air is passed via forced air fans. Heat is transferred from the low-pressure steam to the air by forced convection, condensing the steam to water (condensate).

3.7.3.9 Mechanical Auxiliary Plant

Condensate from the ACC is pumped through a series of feed-heaters to a de-aerator vessel, air removed, and from where it is pressurised using high-pressure pumps, and returned to the HRSG as feed-water where the overall cycle restarts.

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3.7.3.10 Water Treatment

An on-site water treatment plant will be required, where make-up water for use in the HRSG will be treated to achieve a high purity. The water treatment process will consist of organic scavengers, as well as cation, anion and mixed bed ion-exchangers. Regeneration of the ion-exchange resins will utilise sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide-NaOH).

3.7.3.11 Boiler Feedwater Chemical Treatment

The HRSG feedwater must be de-aerated (removal of air) and pH controlled to prevent corrosion. It will be dosed with ammonia hydroxide, caustic (NaOH) and Phosphate (Na3PO4). In addition, an oxygen scavenging chemical, dilute hydrazine (N2H4), may be required during commissioning to achieve the water quality required for optimum operation of the boiler.

3.7.3.12 Electrical Transformer

The electricity generated will be fed to a generator transformer where the voltage will be stepped up to 220 kV. It will be an outdoor, three phase unit and of the oil immersed design. It will be bunded and blast protected with a deluge system for fire protection. Power will flow from the transformer to the 220 kV electrical compound and onto the national grid. The design and layout of the electrical plant will comply with the technical requirements of Eirgrid.

3.7.4 Plant Structures

The structural form of the main buildings will be conventional structural steel supported on reinforced concrete foundations. Steel columns will be fire protected as necessary to comply with the building regulations. Floors will be concrete. The Administration Building and some of the smaller buildings will be of fair-faced blockwork construction, on concrete strip foundations.

Profiled metal cladding will be used for external walls. The colour proposed for the principal structures include light grey and light green. The light grey will be similar to the colours used on the Whitegate refinery, and will reduce the likely impact of those parts of the proposals which will be visible against the sky. Light green has been selected for some lower parts of the proposed structures which may be visible against a backdrop of trees and vegetation from some of the higher vantage points. The light green colour in these instances will render the structures less prominent than would the grey colour.

Colours of buildings will be confirmed with the planning authority prior to construction.

Roofs will be constructed of profiled metal decking on purlins spanning between rafters and will be flat or shallow pitched. Buildings will be single or two storeys with access gantries and walkways for access to plant and equipment. These will be constructed of stainless/galvanised steel open grating type flooring supported on steel beams and columns.

Stacks will be fabricated from painted insulated carbon steel.

3.7.5 Materials Used

The principal materials used will be as follows:

Natural Gas: Natural gas will be delivered to the station via a new below ground pipeline from the existing BGE network.

Refinery Off Gas(ROG):A small amount, 1.5 tonnes per hour and up to approximately 2% of the total amount of fuel gas combusted in the CCGT plant, will be supplied from the existing ConocoPhillips facility. This gas will be burned in the supplementary fired burner.

Distillate Oil: Distillate oil (0.2% sulphur diesel) for use as stand-by fuel will be stored in bulk storage tanks. It will be delivered by pipeline from the refinery.

Water: Water for use in the HRSG to make up for the 50 tonnes per hour supplied to the refinery, and other uses such as HRSG blowdown will be stored in bulk storage tanks filled by

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the supply from the public mains (up to 60 tonnes per hour). This storage will also serve as the supply for fire fighting purposes.

Bulk Chemicals: Regeneration of the resins used in the water treatment plant will utilise sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and caustic soda (NaOH).

To maintain optimum boiler and steam conditions the HRSG will be dosed with small amounts of caustic (NaOH), phosphate (Na3PO4) and ammonia hydroxide (NH4OH).

Oils and greases: Oils and greases will be used for the lubrication of the main mechanical components and will be changed on a regular basis.

3.8 Site Management BGE will be responsible for the management of all commercial, operational and regulatory issues associated with the site.

BGE will employ under contract, a suitably qualified and competent contractor, who will have responsibility for the manning and day to day operation and maintenance of the site. The contractor selected by BGE will be experienced in the day to day operations and maintenance of power generation plants similar to the proposed development and will report directly to BGE. All major items of power generating plant will be covered by long term service agreements to ensure safe and efficient plant operations.

3.9 Health Safety and Environmental Aspects It is intended that the proposed development will comply with all health, safety and environmental codes of practice that will be applicable to the proposed development and best available techniques (BAT) will be used to ensure compliance with all such codes of practice.

BGE intends demonstrating its commitment to protecting the environment by: • ensuring that its plant is operated in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible way

in full compliance with all relevant legal requirements. • ensuring that there is sustained excellence in the environmental performance of the plant

through the operation of an Environmental Management System. • ensuring that all of its activities will be carried out in accordance with the Company’s

IPPC Licence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The technology which will be used in this project is world-class and is recognised as being stable, clean and environmentally friendly.

3.10 Regulatory Control of the Facility 3.10.1 Regulatory Bodies

The Facility will be regulated by the following bodies: • Commission for Electricity Regulation (CER) • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Health and Safety Authority (HSA) CER: The proposed development will be subject to the following regulatory licences being granted by the CER: • Authorisation to Construct • License to Generate Electricity

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The proposed development will be required to conform to the terms and conditions of each licence as set out by the CER EPA: The proposed development will be required to conform to the terms and conditions of the IPPC licence, as set out by the EPA and submit regular reports detailing conformity with such terms and conditions. The proposed development will also be required to conform to the terms and conditions of the Greenhouse Gas Licence, as set out by the EPA. HSA: The National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH), also known as the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the central competent authority for regulatory control of sites to which the Seveso �� Directive applies.

3.10.2 European Legislation

The most important Environmental legislation that directly affects power plants comprises three EU directives and the Kyoto agreement. • The Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive (96/61/EC)

• The Large Combustion Plant (LCPD) Directive (2001/80/EC)

• The National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive (2001/81/EC)

• The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (1997)

• The Seveso �� Directive

• Directive 2003/87/EC for Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

3.10.2.1 IPPC Directive (96/61/EC)

The primary aims of the IPPC Directive (96/61/EC) are to prevent or reduce pollution from point sources to air, water and land, to reduce waste and to promote energy efficiency. It applies to all large industrial installations, and all power plants must comply with the conditions established in their IPPC licence. IPPC licences are determined having regard to the principle of Best Available Techniques (BAT), which, in turn, is based on the BAT Reference (Bref) documents.

The IPPC Directive was transposed into Irish law in 2003, with the enactment of the Protection of the Environment Act 2003. A system of IPPC licensing came into effect in Ireland in July 2004. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the statutory body for the regulation of IPPC Licences in Ireland. BGE is required, under this legislation to obtain an IPPC licence from the EPA for the proposed Whitegate IPP.

3.10.2.2 LCPD Directive (2001/80/EC)

The revised Large Combustion Plants Directive (LCPD, 2001/80/EC) applies to combustion plants with a thermal output of greater than 50 MW. The LCPD has the objective of reducing the emissions of acidifying gases such as sulphur dioxide (SO2) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and dust that may be emitted from large combustion plants. These include plants in power stations, petroleum refineries, steelworks and other industrial processes running on solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.

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3.10.2.3 The National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive (2001/81/EC)

This is an EU strategy regarding the control of acidification and ozone formation in the lower atmosphere. It prescribes limits for SO2, NOx, ammonia and volatile organic compounds to be achieved by each member state by 2010.

3.10.2.4 The Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). (1997)

Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), the Kyoto protocol seeks to limit the build up of so-called ‘Greenhouse gases’. Ireland’s commitment under the Kyoto Protocol is to limit GHG emissions to an average of 13% above base year (1990) emissions in the period 2008 - 2012. Recent data shows emissions for Ireland in 2004 at 23% above the base year emissions.

The EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which commenced in 2005, is the main instrument aimed at meeting GHG targets and applies to large installations such as combustion plant with a rated thermal input exceeding 20 MW.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted Ireland’s second National Allocation Plan to the European Commission in Brussels, as required under the Emissions Trading Directive, on 13 July 2006.

The proposed plant is consistent with Government Climate Change policy which envisages increased efficiency in electrical generation and the use of Kyoto Protocol flexibility mechanism, including emissions trading, to ensure compliance with the European Union and Kyoto protocol national greenhouse gas quotas. BGE is required to obtain a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit for the proposed power plant.

3.10.2.5 The Seveso �� Directive 96/82/EC

The European Union Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major accident hazards involving dangerous substances, known as the ‘Seveso ll’ Directive, came into force in February 1997. The new directive repealed the original ‘Seveso’ Directive (82/501/EC). Directive 96/82/EC was implemented in Ireland by Statutory Instrument SI No. 476 of 2000. Directive 2003/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2003 amended Council Directive 96/82/EC. Directive 2003/105/EC was implemented in Ireland by Statutory Instrument SI No. 74 of 2006 and SI No. 476 of 2000 was revoked.

The regulations, require operators of establishments where dangerous substances are present, in quantities equal to or in excess of defined thresholds listed in Annex � Parts 1 and 2, to take all measures necessary to prevent and mitigate the effects of major accidents to human beings and the environment.

Establishments are classified as either ‘lower tier’ or ‘top tier’ sites depending on the quantities of dangerous substances held on site. The proposed development is classed by the Directive as a lower tier site and both the refinery and the Calor depot are establishments to which the ‘top tier’ requirements of the Seveso �� directive applies.

The Seveso �� Directive defines a major accident as:

'an occurrence such as a major emission, fire, or explosion resulting from uncontrolled developments in the course of the operation of any establishment covered by this directive, and leading to serious danger to human health and/or the environment, immediate or delayed, inside or outside the establishment, and involving one or more dangerous substances.'

Hazard is defined as:

'the intrinsic property of a dangerous substance or physical situation, with a potential for creating damage to human health and/or the environment.'

Some of the requirements that the directive places on the operators of establishment, are briefly outlined below.

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General Obligations (Article 5)

The Directive obliges every operator to take all measures necessary to prevent major accidents and limit their consequences for man and the environment, with an obligation to prove at any time to the regulatory authorities that such measures have been taken.

Notification (Article 6)

Operators of establishments covered by the directive are required to notify nominated competent authorities of their existence and give clearly specified details in relation to the operator, relevant dangerous substances, inventories, type of activity and the immediate environment of the establishment. Any significant changes in the quantity, nature or physical form of dangerous substances or in their processing, or the permanent closure of an installation must also be immediately notified.

The central competent authority for Ireland is the National Authority for Occupational Safety & Health (NAOSH), also known as the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

The notification requirement is to enable the regulatory authorities to manage their inspection programmes more effectively, identify possible domino effects, monitor implementation by operators and advise local authorities in respect of land-use or planning considerations.

Major Accident Prevention Plan (Article 7)

All operators of establishments subject to the directive are required to prepare a major accident prevention plan (MAPP) and ensure it is properly implemented. The major accident prevention plan established by the operator must be designed to guarantee a high level of protection for human beings and the environment by appropriate means, structures and safety management systems.

In planning for emergencies the operator is required to adopt and implement procedures to identify foreseeable emergencies by systematic analysis and to prepare, test and review emergency plans to respond to such emergencies.

Article 18

Article 18 deals with the requirement of competent authorities to organise a system of inspections, or other measures of control appropriate to the type of establishment concerned.

3.10.2.6 Status of the Whitegate Independent Power Plant in relation to the Seveso �� Directive

Arup Consulting Engineers undertook a study to determine if the proposed independent power plant would come under the European Communities (Control of Major Accident Hazards Involving Dangerous Substances) Regulations, SI 74 of 2006, due to the quantity and nature of the materials that will be stored on the site.

Based on the maximum expected inventory levels of hazardous materials the study concluded that articles 6 and 7 of the Seveso II Directive (lower tier requirements) will be applicable to the proposed development. Thus the provisions of SI 74 of 2006 will apply to the facility.

A detailed study of the hazards associated with the operation of the site is being completed.

3.10.2.7 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit

The member states of the EU, including Ireland, are signatories to the Kyoto Protocol, which requires reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases by specific amounts over a period from 2008 to 2012 and beyond. The EU has undertaken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8%, on average, below 1990 levels. The EU Emissions Trading Directive (Directive 2003/87/EC) is being implemented to achieve this target.

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The EPA is responsible for implementing the Emissions Trading Directive in Ireland. The Directive establishes an allowance-trading scheme for emissions to promote reductions of greenhouse gases, in particular carbon dioxide.

To implement the Directive, the EPA has developed a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit system. Installations covered by Annex 1 of the directive require a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit. Each installation will receive an allocation of greenhouse gas emissions at the beginning of each year. If there is a gap between this allocation and the actual emissions, the installations can buy or sell allowances anywhere in the EU.

Annex 1 of the Directive includes combustion installations with a rated thermal input exceeding 20 megawatts (except hazardous or municipal waste installations). Because the installed capacity of the WIPP will be circa 830 megawatts, the Directive applies to the Whitegate IPP site. BGE will apply for a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit.

3.11 Provision for Decommissioning The Whitegate IPP has a projected life span of approximately 30 years. At the end of the 30 year life cycle, there will be several options available for the proposed development. The first option could see the plant being redeveloped for further power generation, with the upgrading of plant and machinery and supporting infrastructure. This option would have no environmental impact on the locality.

A further option, decommissioning of the plant, will be implemented, should circumstances arise whereby it becomes necessary to shut down the facility. This will ensure that any negative environmental impact is minimised. All plant and machinery and supporting infrastructure can easily be disconnected and removed for appropriate disposal, and the site returned to development potential with no environmental issues associated with the site. The decommissioning programme will include:

• Removal of any chemicals or wastes stored on site. Any oils, lubricants or fuels that are on site at the time of closure will be recycled/disposed of through appropriate registered contractors.

• Plant equipment and machinery will be emptied on ceasing operations, dismantled and stored under suitable conditions until it is sold, or if a suitable buyer cannot be located, recycled/disposed of through appropriate licensed waste disposal contractors.

• The plant buildings will be subject to thorough house cleaning procedures prior to final evacuation.

• The site and buildings will be left in a secure manner and appropriate security maintained on site in the event of the site potentially being vacant for an extended period of time.

• If the site is being permanently vacated it will be returned to its current use.

• There will be no asbestos used in the construction of the facility so its removal during decommissioning will not arise.

A detailed decommissioning plan will be submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency as part of the application for an IPPC licence.

3.12 References Cork County Council Planning Policy Unit (2003) Cork County Development Plan 2003. Cork County Council, Cork

Europa website. www.europa.eu

European Community Seveso II Directive 96/82/EC, and Directive 2003/105/EC (amendment to 96/82/EC)

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4. PLANNING AND POLICY CONTEXT

4.1 Introduction This chapter outlines the planning and policy context of the proposed development. The National Spatial Strategy 2002 – 2020 and the Regional Planning Guidelines, 2004 form the national and regional policy guidance for the proposal. The Cork Area Strategic Plan, 2005, the Cork County Development Plan, 2003 and the Midleton Electoral Area Local Area Plan, 2005, form the local policy guidance for the proposal. The development is reviewed in the context of these documents.

4.2 National Policy Context 4.2.1 The National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020

The National Spatial Strategy (NSS) for Ireland is a twenty-year planning framework designed to achieve a better balance of social, economic, physical development and population growth between regions. The Strategy states that in order to emulate the economic success achieved in Dublin, Ireland needs to strengthen the dynamic, emerging critical mass of the existing gateways in the South East, South and West and develop gateways at other strategic locations. The Strategy recognises that of all the regional cities, Cork has the most immediate potential to be developed to the level required to complement Dublin. The Strategy states that the inherent advantages of the South West region, in its overall contribution to national economic development, must be consolidated. An increase in population for the Cork area, with consequent increase in demand for employment, is thus anticipated.

4.2.2 The Regional Planning Guidelines 2004

The Regional Guidelines support the NSS and the Cork Area Strategic Plan CASP 2001-2020, 2001 objectives, including the development of the hubs and gateways, an integrated transport system, educational, health, recreational and cultural facilities. It promotes the objectives of integrated land use and infrastructure provision and the development of selected towns and villages outside the gateways and hubs to achieve critical mass in population, employment and services so that they can act as service centres for their rural hinterland.

4.3 Local Policy Context 4.3.1 The Cork Area Strategic Plan 2001- 2020

The Cork Area Strategic Plan (CASP), 2001, was jointly commissioned by Cork County and City Councils. It covers an area that is referred to as the Cork Region which has been determined by a journey time of about 45 minutes from Cork City. The Plan introduces the concept of Metropolitan Cork, which is to function as a unified entity with a common employment and property market, an integrated transport system and the social, cultural and educational facilities appropriate to a modern European city. It sets out a strategy that provides guidance as to the general direction and scale of growth so that the Cork Region can provide a high quality of life and opportunity for all of its citizens over the next 20 years.

In response to economic growth and expectations over the next 20 years, both Cork and the sub-region will need to adapt to compete in a rapidly changing international market. For this reason, Cork City Council and Cork County Council prepared a Strategic Plan for the area in order to locate growth in a sustainable manner that meets the needs of community and also facilitates development.

4.3.1.1 CASP Objectives

The Plan provides a broad framework of policy and targets that seek to achieve its objectives, which include the following:

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• create a highly competitive quality location so as to facilitate the growth of an innovative and advanced economy

• to conserve the unique environmental qualities of the Study Area through minimising impacts on ecologically sensitive areas

• spatial balance including concentrated rather than dispersed development, coupled with the provision of high quality open space and recreational facilities

• provision of infrastructure for the estimated 46,370 new jobs (26,000 in the Metropolitan Area) which will be created during the lifetime of the Plan.

4.3.1.2 Population and Employment Projections

The population of the Study Area remained static at about 314,000 between 1986 and 1991. Between 1991 and 1996, the population of the study area grew to nearly 325,000. Between 1996 and 2000 it is estimated that the population grew to 346,000. It is projected that the population of Cork City will grow to an estimated 423,000 by 2020.

The Irish economy has expanded by 51% since 1995. There has been a significant amount of new commercial and industrial development in the Cork City-Region. Significant road improvements such as the Jack Lynch Tunnel, linking the South Ring Road with the Dublin and Waterford arterial routes, the N8 and N25, respectively, have opened up new development areas at strategic locations.

For the period 2000 – 2021 the Plan estimates that employment, in the Study Area of the Plan, is projected to rise by 46,220 (26,000 in the Metropolitan Area) an average of 1.3 per cent per annum over the period, of which about 20,000 will require new industrial or commercial premises.

According to the Plan, Midleton is expected to continue its rapid growth, over the study period, to become the largest town in the east of Metropolitan Cork. This is due to its being well located for both industry and housing development and has the ability to absorb further growth in a sustainable manner.

4.3.2 Cork County Development Plan 2003

The Cork County Development Plan 2003 is a six year plan and a framework document for guiding and controlling future developments in the County. It sets out Cork County Council’s planning policy for the County for that period. It also takes into account strategies outlined in the National Development Plan.

The overall strategy of the Plan is to ‘consolidate the Whitegate-Aghada industrial and harbour related roles within their sensitive coastal setting with limited expansion of residential uses’ (Page 249, Volume 3 of Plan). It is an objective of the Plan to identify land, in key strategic locations, that is particularly suitable for both large and small scale, new industrial development throughout the county, on appropriately zoned lands. In the overall strategy of the Plan, Whitegate-Aghada is designated as a strategic industrial area. The proposed development at Whitegate, is located in an area zoned Primarily Industry/Enterprise. (Volume 4, Map 30 – 2 of the Plan) (Refer to Figure 4.1). The development site is located in one of the two main areas set aside in the Plan for industrial development, namely the area comprising a group of three sites adjoining or close to the existing oil refinery. (Volume 3, Page 252, 30.3.4 of the Plan)

A new development boundary has been proposed for Whitegate-Aghada which includes not only areas already developed or set aside in the Plan for future development for particular uses, but also those areas of established open space that form part of the structure of these areas. The development boundary defines the extent to which the built up area can grow during the lifetime of the Plan.

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County Development Zoning Map

Figure 4.1August 2006C1662.40

Whitegate IPP

NOTE: Drawing is for diagrammatic purposes only. No measurements to be taken.

Source: Cork County Development Plan 2003

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3.4 Principal Design Objectives · located within the existing ConocoPhillips oil refinery ......

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