COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, January 10, 2022

QUESTION NO.7

QUESTION: Councillor R. McMahon

To ask the Chief Executive to give a report on the progress on the District Heating Scheme - when will it start functioning and when will it be full functioning and how much carbon emissions will it save per annum?

REPLY:

The Tallaght District Heating Scheme is being led by South Dublin County Council. The scheme will also operate as Ireland’s first not-for-profit heat utility and will make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions in the area.

Works on the Tallaght District-heating pipe-network were commenced by GMC Utilities Group on behalf of Fortum on the 21st May 2021 in the grounds of TUD Tallaght. Pipelaying and pipe-testing on campus was completed by the end of July 2021. Excavation and pipe-laying works then commenced on the Belgard Road linking TUD to the DH Energy-centre site beside the Amazon data-centre on Airton Road. Work progressed well through August and September but unmarked and unmapped buried- services at the Airton Road junction resulted in 6 weeks of additional work  which was completed at the end of November.

Excavation and pipe-laying works were also commenced on Belgard Square North in September and this section was completed in mid-November. Works were halted from the start of the Christmas period in compliance with Garda Operation Open City ( previously Operation Free-Flow).

60% of the pipe-network is now laid, tested and reinstated.

Works recommence on the 10th January 2022 from the roundabout at the junction of Belgard Square North and East in the direction of Tallaght Hospital. This work will require the closure of the east-bound lane of Belgard Square North for a period of approximately 8 weeks with traffic being diverted to Belgard Square West and then onto Belgard Square South.

Principal Construction commenced construction works on the Energy-centre building in August 2021 . Substructural works are now completed, structural steel frame is in position, blockwork is underway and external cladding and roofing will commence in early January 2022.

The project delivery programme has been impacted by some COVID related delays and two utility company related delays.  The completion date for the District-heating project including supply of heat to TUD Main Building and County Hall is currently estimated that this first Phase will be operational from July 2022.

This initial phase of the Tallaght District-heating is estimated to save 1600 tonnes of carbon annually.