Sod turned on new €400m Aghada plant
The minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mr Micheál Martin TD, joined ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus at a sod-turning event to mark the start at construction of the new €400 million ESB Power Station in Aghada, Co Cork, on Friday, October 12.
Station Manager, Nicholas Tarrant welcomed staff and invited guests to what he said was a very special occasion for Aghada. Nicholas set out the context to the day's events going back to the building of the existing plant and its very high level of performance over the years. He said that the next two years would be a very busy time for the staff and it would not be possible without the commitment and dedication that they had displayed over the years.
An open evening was held in September where a local ESB committee engaged openly with the community at Aghada on the plans for the station. Nicholas said this would be part of how the management and staff at Aghada planned to do business for the duration of the project.
The 400 megawatt combined cycle gas turbine power plant will be constructed alongside the existing 525 megawatt plant at Aghada, making the electricity generating facility there one of the largest in Ireland.
The new power plant received government approval in January 2007 and it is due to begin generating electricity in October 2009. It will ensure greater security of supply and meet the everexpanding demand for electricity.
The Swiss engineering company Alstom Power won the turn-key contract for the construction of the plant. In addition to the new power plant, a further €100 million will be invested in a major overhaul of the existing Aghada plant. A total of 1,000 contractor employees will work on the site during the peak construction period.
It will be the most efficient plant on the market, delivering best practice availability levels and operating to maximum flexibility. A staff of 78 will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the new and existing plant at Aghada.
Under the all-island Single Electricity Market, which came into effect on November 1st, efficient power generation delivery will be critical to the success of the new pool market and contract arrangements.
Speaking at the sod-turning event, Minister Martin said it was a privilege and a pleasure to be present with his government colleagues to witness a new era for Aghada. "The significance of this project lies in securing our future energy needs and further contributing to a cleaner environment," he said. "This large scale investment in east Cork infrastructure is an important factor in meeting current and future demands of businesses and residents."
The Minister went on to say that, as Minister for the Environment in the past, he was in a unique position to see what ESB has contributed to the economy of Ireland.
"You as an organisation have worked with us and the IDA to facilitate connections and encourage new industry into the country," he said. "In my own capacity, I would like to thank you for that contribution to Irish growth. ESBI was one of the first role models displaying excellence in engineering where you blazed a way to sell solutions abroad and I am delighted you are also involved in this project. My bottom line as Minister is competitiveness - it is a strategic necessity for the country and a challenging time for the energy market.
It is important to us all that ESB remains strong for the collective benefit of people in this country, with a leaner stronger portfolio into the future. It is important to the local economy and an enormous boost to this region and the long term future of this plant."
Minister Martin wished the staff well in their success and said it was a vote of confidence in them that the plant had been located at Aghada.
ESB Chief Executive Padraig McManus said, "This plant represents state-of-the-art generation technology. It contributes to security of energy supply in the Irish economy and enhances our ability to minimise emissions. It is a major investment and involves a significant boost to the local economy".
The Chief Executive said it was a great time for ESB Power Generation, which would be a smaller, but more efficient, business line contributing to the success of ESB. "This station is key to that success. A lot of trust has been put on your shoulders and the plant will have to run to maximum efficiency. Based on your past we know you will do that," he said.
Denis Cochet, Senior Vice President Global Sales, Alstom Power, said, "As a leader in clean power technologies, Alstom is honoured to be part of this project by providing a state-of-the-art solution to tackle climate change and significantly reduce NOx and CO2 emissions by increasing plant efficiency."
