Seán Power
Question:34 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Energy if he will consider extending the opening of the Allenwood Power Station, County Kildare, until an alternative industry is found.
Written Answers. - Allenwood Power Station.
The closure of Allenwood generating station on 31 March 1991 has been agreed with Bord na Móna, the ESB staff and their trade unions.
The station is a 30 year old 40 megawatt station which uses sod peat supplied by Bord na Móna and is at the end of its useful life. It is highly inefficient and operates only at approximately a 17 per cent plant load factor. It was originally intended for closure in 1984-85 as part of the proposals contained in the ESB's strategic plan. The proposals were subsequently modified allowing for continued operations at Allenwood until the end of the decade. The ESB now plan to keep the plant available until 31 March 1991. The planned run-down and relocation of staff is in progress. Unfortunately, the economics of any further delay in the planned closure date would be prohibitive.
I have been assured by the ESB and Bord an Móna that the closure of the station will not involve any compulsory redundancy. Staff will be offered voluntary redundancy or redeployment.