ESB Power Generation says goodbye to Declan Black and Diarmuid Lynch

Thursday, January 31st saw closure to a huge chapter in the lives of Declan Black and Diarmuid Lynch, Energy Trading & Regulation, ESB Power Generation as both retired after a combined 73-year spell in ESB Power Generation. Mick Roche, Manager, ET&R, commented on their excellent health and the esteem in which they are held by the company and their colleagues. Equally, Mick noted their markets expertise and that their high standing is wellappreciated by ESB's external counterparties.

A northsider, Declan joined ESB in 1973, serving in the Generation Department, various generating stations and Project Department before landing in Fuel Supply in 1987 and becoming part of ET&R in 2002.

His expertise in coal and CO2 became legendary with his interest in white wines and his short game skills in golf hardly lagging behind. A pragmatist and conservative at heart, his love of his cellular office (rather than open plan) is equally matched by his dread of the cellphone! Declan and his wife Catherine plan to spend quite a bit of time at their house in the South of France.

Declan's response was not unexpected, with tales of difficulties in power stations and frustration at the pace of corporate decision-making, interspersed with admiration for the expertise and skill of colleagues and for the development of commerciality in ESB.

Diarmuid joined ESB in 1969, spent a number of years in the construction of power stations (starting in Great Island in his native Wexford), then showed tremendous flexibility and confidence over a range of quite different roles. He went to Saudi Arabia on one of ESB's earliest consultancy assignments, back to power stations, then on an- IFSC related project, then to Fuel Supply in 1989 and ET&R in 2002. Diarmuid played a major role in the design of the commercial Irish gas market, in both supply and transportation. He was an excellent source and provider of knowledge for younger colleagues, on fuel markets, general business counselling and even red wine! Diarmuid and his wife Eileen travelled extensively in 2007 and have plans for more of the same, with a trip to China in May next on the list.

Diarmuid entertained the large gathering with comical tales of dysfunctional behaviour, of displays of largesse by (former) managers, and of commercial deals and indeed court cases where ESB took on the big guns and won, to international acclaim. As the evening wore on and the party adjourned to Café en Seine, many's the further tall tale was told. Overall, an occasion with a tremendous feel-good factor, as two exceptional contributors to the development of ESB's commercial trading activity said their good-byes and in great spirits, accepted the congratulations and best wishes of the company and their many friends.