COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, February 10, 2014
QUESTION NO. 9
QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle
To ask the Manager for a detailed update on the ongoing studies of potential hydro-electric schemes in the County?
REPLY:
The South Dublin Sustainable Energy Action Plan approved by the Council in May 2013 includes Replace Action No. 3 (Action REP3)
Action REP3: Feasibility Projects to assess large scale renewable and low carbon technologies/strategies
South Dublin County Council will continue to investigate the feasibility of using renewable and low carbon technologies on a large scale through the following:
- Desk top studies on the use of hydro based energy production on the River Dodder and River Liffey.
In response to SEAP Replace Action No. 3, the Council has prepared a draft brief for the carrying out of a feasibility study into the potential for hydro based electricity generation in South Dublin County. The draft brief is currently under consideration in advance of being issued for tender invitation.
It is envisaged that the feasibility study will identify potential sites for the development of hydro schemes in the county including on the Rivers Liffey and Dodder. It will also address potential for electricity generation, detailed costings and an assessment of economic potential. It will explore planning, environmental and fisheries issues. The Council will seek the support of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under the provisions of the Sustainable Energy Community Project, the City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CODEMA) in carrying out this study.
South Dublin County Council is also currently engaged in another EU Intelligent Energy Europe (IEE) funded project, in partnership with the Irish Planning Institute (IPI) called 'Spatial Planning and Energy for Communities in all Landscapes' (SPECIAL). This project aims to foster greater integration between energy and spatial planning, by up-skilling practicing town planners across Ireland, based on best practice EU experience. The developing knowledge base regarding planning for renewable forms of energy, including hydro, will be brought to bear on the development of renewable energy alternatives across South Dublin County.