Volume 1 Written Statement

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Volume One: Written Statement
Electricity Provision and Generation
12.23 ESB Networks are the key provider of electricity infrastructure via the the “National Grid” (i.e. the high
voltage network for the transmission of bulk electricity supplies from power stations to transmission
stations) and the the distribution system (i.e. the lower voltage electricity network which delivers
electricity from the transmission stations to residences, businesses, streetlights, etc.). ESB Networks
work closely with Eirgrid who are responsible for the operation and the development of the transmission
system. Key components of electricity infrastructure within Cork City include
Table 12.2 Electricity Infrastructure in Cork City
Facility
Location
Natural Gas and Distillate Power Plant (88 MW capacity) The Marina, Centre Park Road
4 no. Transmission Stations (110kV substations) Trabeg, Liberty Street, Marina, Kilbarry
5 high voltage (38kV) stations Mayfield, Fairhill, Dennehy’s Cross, Douglas,
Togher
90 no. medium voltage (10kV or 20 kV) feeders Various locations fed from the stations listed
above
12.24 Adequate capacity, or plans to provide additional capacity, are in place in respect of all key development
areas outlined in the Core Strategy (Chapter 2). It is forecasted that the City Centre will be adequately
supplied by Liberty Street and Marina 110kV/MV stations through the lifetime of the Development Plan;
future capacity is planned to be provided by the development of a 110kV/MV station at Caroline Street
(adjacent to an existing switching station). Recent upgrades to Marina 110kV station will allow for
capacity doubling to feed the Docklands load in the future. An Eirgrid study has concluded that the
optimum location for a new 110kV station to serve the Blackpool/Kilbarry area and to remove load from
the existing Kilbarry transmission station is adjacent to the existing station at Kilbarry. This study has
also indicated connection options for potential future 110kV stations around Cork City but feasibility
studies for these will only progress when load levels dictate that these stations are required.
12.25 ESB Networks is preparing a Medium Voltage Network Area Plan for areas including Cork City (expected
to be complete in 2014/2015); the national High Voltage Network Investment Plan 2014 – 2024 is also
under preparation.
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Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Measures
12.26 Reducing greenhouse emissions to combat climate change relates to two key energy issues, reducing
energy demand and producing energy from sustainable resources. There is a national target to reduce
energy usage by 20% across the whole economy by 2020. 25 There is also a national target to aim to
supply 16% of national energy demand from renewable sources by 2020. (No figures are available for
Cork City specifically; however, only 5.5% of national energy demand was supplied from renewable
resources in 2010.)
12.27 The three key ways in ways in which we use energy are for transport, for heat, and for general electricity
use for homes, businesses, streetlights, etc. Landuse planning-related measures to help reduce
greenhouse gas emissions are addressed below under these broad headings.
12.28 Reducing transport emissions by a reduction in single-occupancy car trips is addressed in Chapter 5.
There is a national target for 10% of all vehicles roads to be powered by electricity by 2020; parking
standards to facilitate charge points have been updated in Chapter 16. Bus Eireann plans to incorporate
168 Draft Cork City Development Plan 2015-2021