Dublin is one of the counties where Bord Gáis Energy has started work on two new gas power plants with the ability to convert to hydrogen in future.
The firm and its parent company, Centrica plc, say they will provide 200MW of flexible gas fired power, which is enough for 100,000 homes all year round when complete in 2024. They have invested over €250m in the “innovative” projects, which they say “can be easily switched on and off as demand peaks”.
Clearance work has begun on the sites in Athlone, Co Roscommon and Profile Park in Grange Castle, Co Dublin with the full construction and design tender competitions underway. Dave Kirwan, Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy, said: “We recognise the current difficulties facing consumers all across Ireland in relation to energy costs.
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“Our focus is on protecting our customers as much as we can right now, while also using our financial strength to make investments that will protect them in the future. In 2022 we will make no profit in residential energy supply and have instead sought to protect customers through absorbing some of the worst increases in energy prices, supporting the most vulnerable and investing in our customer service teams and training.
“We have put in place an energy support fund and committed 10% of operating profit from other parts of our business to further support customers who need it most right now. Taking a longer-term view, we are committing over €250m to the construction of the two flexible gas fired generation plants in Athlone and Dublin.
“In addition to our existing Whitegate power station, the construction of these two new plants will help the penetration of renewables on the system while also supporting Ireland’s journey to net zero.”
We asked the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications if they consider the new plants to be ‘unabated fossil fuel development’ which they vowed to end public support for by the end of 2022 at COP26. A spokesperson said: “The recently-published Climate Action Plan 2023 is in line with the COP26 commitment to “end new direct public support for the international unabated fossil fuel energy sector”.
“For the electricity system, for example, we are aiming to ensure that up to 80% of our power generation will come from renewable sources by 2030. To support the growth of renewable electricity generation, the plan sets out that by 2030 we will add 2GW to the national grid from new gas-fired power stations.
“This new gas-fired capacity will be flexible enough to balance the grid as we expand solar energy and onshore and offshore wind. This capacity will be more efficient than our older, heavy oil and coal-fired power stations.”
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