A SUBMISSION has been lodged with Donegal County Council amid plans for the construction of an electricity storage facility in Letterkenny on the grounds of health impacts and environmental damage.
Applicant Peter Henry, on behalf of Renewable Energy Systems Limited (RES Ltd), submitted proposals in April of this year for the proposed development on the N13 in Listillion.
Proposals comprise the construction of an electricity storage facility comprising a battery storage system (BESS) within a total site area of up to 6.1HA to include electrical transformer/inverter station modules, battery storage enclosures (BSES), power conversion systems on concrete support structures, attenuation ponds, indicative 110KV buried import /export cable and indicative 110KV substation to facilitate connection to the existing 110KV Letterkenny substation, and upgraded access tracks.
Landscaping works, lighting poles and all other ancillary and miscellaneous site works including clearance, are also contained in plans. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) accompanies the application.
It comes as plans for a gas substation close to Lurgybrack National School given, the green light by Donegal County Council, were appealed to An Cóimisiún Pleanála in 2025 by a resident, on the grounds of the potential impact she says the development will have on children, farming operations and the environment. A determination remains outstanding.
In a written submission to Donegal County Council in relation to proposed plans by RES Ltd., Eleanor Wauchob outlined her concerns around the thermal runway, which occurs when a failure of some type leads to overheating within the battery.
“The main concern with the battery energy storage systems (BESS) is thermal runway. There have been over 100 incidents of failure to BESS to date. Consequences include death, serious injury, long-term health impacts and environmental damage.
TOXIC GAS RELEASE
“Overheating results in toxic gas release, fire and potential vapour cloud explosion. These fires do not need oxygen to burn, cannot be put out by fire extinguishers and may re-ignite hours or days later. The only method of control is by cooling the batteries. Water application is the most effective way of controlling the batteries.”
She added: “Toxic gas, heavy metal particulates and toxic firewater runoff all have the potential to contaminate the environment as illustrated by the Vistra Moss Landing BESS fire in January 2025. Researchers at San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Labs have been monitoring the Elkhorn Slough area since the fire. Their new study estimates roughly 55,000 pounds of heavy metals are now embedded in the wetland’s soil.”
Further to her submission, Ms Wauchop pointed out the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) revised guidelines, published in December 2025, states the potential impact of an incident on the local environment should factor into the choice of BESS site and its associated safety measures.
“The developer should produce a plan that identifies all sensitive receptors within a 1km radius of the site. The plan should support discussions with planners and other stakeholders regarding site suitability and inform appropriate emergency planning. Examples of sensitive receptors, according to the Environment Agency’s Fire Prevention Plans: Environmental Permits Guidance, includes schools, hospitals, nursing and care homes, residential areas, workplaces and protected habitats,” the guidelines state.
Submissions to the proposed development are being accepted until May 6, 2026. Donegal County Council is due make its decision on May 27, 2026.