Experience
Tarbert Next Generation Power Station Project
This project will see the site of Tarbert Power Station in County Kerry transformed, with the existing oil-fired plant replaced with a new plant fuelled by a sustainable biofuel; Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO). The consented development will support the security of electrical power supply, the continued expansion of Ireland’s renewable generation capacity and would provide essential support to the electricity supply system at times of peak demand and at times when other electricity generation sources are not sufficient to meet demand.
SSE Thermal
Energy
Tarbert, County Kerry
Approved
Our Involvement
Gravis Planning managed the planning application submitted to An Bord Pleanàla for the consented development to secure planning approval. This was a complex submission including a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR), which involved the compilation of several reports prepared by a team of sub-consultants and covering areas ranging from ecology and biodiversity to human health and cultural heritage.
With regard to Strategic Communications, Gravis supported SSE Thermal not just in delivering in-person stakeholder engagement, but also in managing the design of a project webpage and an immersive virtual consultation room that simulated the experience of visiting a real-life public consultation event. This gave the Tarbert Next Generation Power Station project’s public consultation a much greater online presence and led to a higher level of engagement with the project. These virtual offerings have become increasingly prevalent as part of consultation on major new projects; they elevate the standard of stakeholder engagement and make gathering feedback a more accessible process. As well as reaching those who may not be able to attend in-person consultation events because of other commitments, virtual consultations also accommodate those who are physically unable to travel to or access their local community centre or town hall. This provides all stakeholder groups with an opportunity to learn about the project, provide feedback and help to shape the proposals.