NI compressed-air energy storage application withdrawn

Troubled Dublin-based green energy company Gaelectric has pulled the plug on its ambitious plans for a compressed air energy storage project in Northern Ireland. The company has withdrawn its planning application for the 330MW scheme earmarked for a site on Islandmagee near Larne in Co Antrim.

The proposals would have involved storing compressed  air in salt caverns under the Antrim coast. The venture had a price tag of £300 million and had received substantial EU grants.

News that the planning application had been withdrawn was posted on the official NI Planning Portal website which is run by the Department for Infrastructure.

The post, dated 1 August, said: “PLANNING APPLICATION WITHDRAWN LA02/2016/0006/F  Due to the large number of representations in relation to this planning application it will not be possible to notify individuals who have made representation on the application. Please accept this advertisement as notification that this planning application has been withdrawn and is no longer under consideration by the Department. “

Attempts to contact the company were unsuccessful.

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