The management of ESB-owned facilities are an operational matter for the Board and management of the ESB. The ESB ceased electricity generation at the Shannonbridge and Lanesborough power stations in December 2020 when their planning permission expired. The Just Transition Commissioner made a recommendation in his first progress report, published in May 2020, that a study be undertaken in relation to the future potential of the ESB power stations at both Lanesborough (Lough Ree Power) and Shannonbridge (West Offaly Power) for the establishment of a dedicated Energy Hub in the Midlands. This was subsequently included as a commitment in the Programme for Government.
ESB has been participating in a number of working groups established under the Just Transition programme which looked at the future of the Midlands area following the closure of the ESB Midlands stations and the ending of the harvesting of peat by Bord na Móna.
One of the working groups, which included representatives of my Department, relevant Local Authorities, and the Just Transition Commissioner, looked specifically at how the existing infrastructure on the station sites might form a part of a future renewable energy hub. To that end, ESB commissioned an internal engineering report to examine how the power plants might be re-used in the future. Options reviewed included the possibility of using other types of fuel. The report was subsequently reviewed by Fichtner, an external international consultancy firm with acknowledged expertise in these areas. These reports have not identified any viable alternative use for the existing power plants.
However new hybrid facilities could make use of existing grid infrastructure in the region like the recently announced Shannonbridge B grid stability plant which will provide in the region of 150 jobs in its construction. The new hybrid facility combines a long duration battery with a synchronous condenser to support the grid in deployment of renewable energy.
