Construction of new 400MW Station at Aghada

The construction by ESB Power Generation of a new 400MW CCGT station at Aghada, Co. Cork has been authorised by the Commission for Energy Regulation. The project also requires the approval of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

The construction of this new plant at Aghada will renew ESB Power Generation's presence in the base load sector of the generation portfolio. The new plant also will facilitate the reshaping of the generation portfolio in a balanced way in support of building a sustainable and viable business in the new electricity market.

This initiative is part of a wider package of measures designed to support the development of a competitive electricity generation market in Ireland. It will also involve the closure and/or divestment of 1500MW of ESB Power Generation mid-merit and peaking plant in order to address dominance in these sectors of the market and the creation of a land-bank of generation sites to be made available to new entrants.