Investing in Energy - Rockland Europe

Mayo Power Limited is pleased to announce its first Energy Crop Pilot Scheme

The Directors of Mayo Power Limited, the company which plans to build a 100MW mixed fuel combined heat and power plant on the former Asahi site in North Mayo is pleased to announce the proposed implementation of its’ first energy crop pilot scheme in the region. Working with local landowner and part-time farmer Derek Hannick and Waterford-based Seed Technology Limited, the company is proposing to plant willow on approximately 20 hectares of land within 10 miles of the proposed power station site. The purpose of the pilot will be to introduce willow as a new crop into the area – and to demonstrate how it is sown, how it grows and how it will fit into the local farming system and the environment. The objective will be to initiate planting immediately in order to benefit from this growing season. Willow first matures four years after planting and each three years subsequently. It is hoped that the first crop will coincide with the commissioning of the Mayo Power plant but, if necessary, the crop can be stored. Raymond O'Neill from Seed Technology Ltd says “Energy Crops offer one of the greatest potential sources of renewable energy for electricity and combined heat and power generation. If energy crops are included in the general mix of agricultural crops in a considered and informed way there could be significant environmental and ecological benefits alongside the development of a fully sustainable energy source. Better willow varieties with increased yield and improved crop management, has made willow very competitive as an energy source.’’ Derek Hannick says: “Converting part of my land use to bio energy crops is proving more profitable and less labor intensive than the poor returns currently being experienced in beef production. I am producing a crop that is good for the environment and doing my part to help Ireland reduce its carbon footprint” Martin Pickard a director of Mayo Power confirmed that they were excited at the prospect of this first scheme and that they had two or three other schemes already in the pipeline. “We see locally grown energy crops as a key component of our fuel supply mix – and now that we are targeting biomass/wood to be more than 50% of our feedstock – we are keen to encourage as many local schemes as possible”. Mayo Power Limited is currently progressing commercial arrangements pending a final decision from An Bord Pleanala which is due late July. 6th June 2008 Ends Issued on behalf of Mayo Power Limited by Tim Ryan Communications: Suite 25, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau St., Dublin 2 Tel + 353 (0)87 2471423 Note to editors: Derek Hannick can be contacted at 086 8227210 and Raymond O’Neill of Seed Technology Ltd at 051 832814

Mayo Power lodges response to An Bord Pleanála
2008-02-08

Mayo Power Ltd., the company planning to build a 100MW mixed fuel Combined Heat and Power plant (CHP) plant on the former Asahi site in North Mayo this week submitted a comprehensive response to four objections lodged with An Bord Plean á la.

Four appellants - An Taisce, Killala Community Council, Asahi Development Committee and local resident Michael O'Donnell - lodged objections to a decision by Mayo County Council to grant permission, with 43 conditions attached, for the erection of the power generating station last December.

In its submission, the Directors state that one of the main aims of the proposal is to utilise largely native and local fuels, notably peat and renewables, to generate electricity in an area with poor supply.

The project will not only improve electricity supply in the area but will also contribute to Government efforts to reduce Ireland's dependency on imported fossil fuels.

The proposal is also a high efficient combined heat and power plant whereby steam from the process will be made available to industrial users who can utilise the adjoining Asahi site where existing industrial infrastructure is available. This brings an extra jobs benefit to a region that has suffered heavy depopulation and unemployment and also allows the re-utilisation of one of the country's largest brownfield sites.

The project will provide Mayo with a despatchable power load. A despatchable load refers to a source of electricity that can be despatched at the request of the grid operator, i.e. turned up or down) on demand. This is in contrast to intermittent sources of electricity such as wind power, which cannot be controlled by the grid operator. This project will therefore underpin and support the development of future renewable wind farms in the region.

The development will also require a licence from the Environmental Protection Agency and Mayo Power Ltd is committed to abiding by the terms of that licence.

The submission emphasises that the plant is not an incinerator and, in accordance with the planning permission granted and the applicable licences, it can never be an incinerator.

With regard to the burning of peat, the submission states that this is nothing new or unusual in Ireland or the EU. It is a major fuel - used with EU approval - in both Sweden and Finland. Certain boglands in Mayo have already been developed and some of these are not exhausted.

The overall economic benefits to the local community include:

• A capital investment of circa €150m over the next 3 years.
• An annual investment in the purchase of local feedstocks (biomass/energy crops/peat) of approximately €15m per annum
• Employment during construction of up to 300 people.
• Continuing employment during operation of up to 60 people

Among the points made in the submission are:

• Mayo Power has consulted with the local community throughout the planning process - and has held three public meetings - and a number of meetings with local interest groups
• Mayo Power elected to prepare a comprehensive Environmental Impact Study
• Mayo Power received minimal objections when the original planning application was submitted. There were in fact letters of support
• Mayo Power has answered all questions raised - and has even offered to make adjustments to the proposed scheme to accommodate local concerns

In accordance with the planning conditions, Mayo Power will undertake to form a local Project Monitoring Committee to monitor surface water, drainage, traffic management, road maintenance, implementation of the landscape plan and other environmental matters during the period of construction. Two representatives from the local community will be invited to serve on this committee.

Also, in accordance with the planning conditions Mayo Power will also undertake to perform the following to the satisfaction of Mayo County Council:

• prepare a final detailed landscaping scheme for the site
• full implementation of a construction traffic management plan
• perform a full road and bridge survey before construction commences
• prepare a site layout plan approved by ESB
• protect all archaeological materials or features
• prepare a detailed construction management plan
• install an environmental management system and appoint a qualified environmental officer
• make contributions to the Mayo County Council Development Contribution Scheme to cover water, sewerage, surface water, amenities, roads and recreational facilities
• make further contributions for road strengthening and improvement, improved sewerage scheme, community facilities and local artwork
• to operate the plant in accordance with all operational and environmental licences.