The plant is expected to cost approximately EUR300m and would have a power generation capacity of 325MW. The generation facility is planned to feed into the national grid at peak times and as a back-up to the wind energy.
The plant is expected to create 500 jobs during construction and 50 permanent positions on completion. Work is projected to commence within six months. The plant would be fueled with gas with very low emissions and noise levels.
The plant is scheduled to supply power to the national grid from the first half of 2012. The company has logged an application to the Commission on Energy Regulation in 2008, and the license is expected to be granted in 2009.
John Gallagher, spokesman of Lumcloon Energy, said: “The hope is that the planning process will be dealt with by the end of this year or early in next year. Construction should take about two years; by 2012 we should be ready.”
The plant would consist of two generating units, a smaller simple-cycle unit, and a flexible unit consisting of two gas turbines and one steam turbine. The simple-cycle unit is a reserve/peaking unit to support wind energy power plants when there is a rapid fall in wind generation.
The plant would also use design for condensing steam produced at the plant back into water. The plant was specifically designed to support the government’s plans to develop renewable energy.
Gallagher, informed that the proposal has received the local approval.
Mr Gallagher continued that: “We have held a number of consultations and briefing meetings over a year, and there has been strong support locally.”
