BREAKING: Jobs fears as plan for future of Shannonbridge power station rejected

Plans for the redevelopment of Shannonbridge power station have been turned down by An Bord Pleanala. 

The ESB had submitted a plan to continue burning peat at the West Offaly station until the end of 2027, when the plant would convert to the exclusive use of biomass. 

But the news this morning (Tuesday) that the plans have been rejected by An Bord Pleanala raises questions about the future of the 300 Bord na Móna and ESB employees at the station. 

The plan to continue burning peat at the West Offaly plant was strongly opposed by environmental groups at an oral hearing into the planning application which took place in Tullamore in April. 

Ian Lumley from An Taisce told the hearing that peat production “should have been halted 20 years ago in Ireland” and added that plans by the ESB to continue using peat for another seven years were “not meeting any climate change targets whatsoever.” 

As part of the planning application, the ESB had also sought permission to extend the life of the Shannonbridge power plant beyond its current permitted date of December 31, 2020, and to dispose of an additional 880,000 tonnes of ash at its existing ash disposal facility.