Edenderry power plant gets final stay

The future of nearly 200 workers at Edenderry power plant remains up in the air after the High Court's decision on Friday to granted a final stay on the order to quash the planning permission for the facility to remain in operation.

On Friday last, the High Court granted Bord na Móna a stay to continue operating at its Edenderry facility while An Bord Pleanála comes to a decision on the plant's future.

The planning body had granted Bord na Móna permssion to continue its operation in Edenderry up until 2023, but the High Court quashed the decision last October following an an intervention by An Taisce

If An Bord Pleanala does nto grant a fresh planning permission for the plant by December 31, the High Court ruled that Bord na Móna must implement a decommissioning plan that would see operations draw to a close by February 25 next.

SIPTU represents many of the workers at the plant and has announced that it is urgently seeking a meeting with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Denis Naughten to discuss the future of the workers at Edenderry and Bord na Móna's other power stations in the midlands.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said:

“The continuing uncertainty about the long-term future of the plants is causing immense strain to hundreds of workers and their families. Closure of the Edenderry plant, run by Edenderry Power Ltd, would lead directly to 250 to 300 job losses. The two other peat burning power stations in the Midlands are also under threat, which means up to 1,300 other direct jobs could be at risk while many more people also depend on the Bord na Móna operations for their livelihoods.”

 He added: “SIPTU members are confident that Bord na Móna, of which Edenderry Power is a wholly owned subsidiary, does have a viable plan and long term strategy for the plant. The plan envisages the development of a biomass industry which will replace its traditional peat energy business by 2030. Biomass use in the Edenderry plant is currently at 35% (350,000 tonnes) and will rise to 50% (500,000 tonnes) by 2020 while the company intends to continue to reduce the use of peat thereafter.

 “We require an urgent engagement with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to discuss the future of these plants and the many thousands of people who depend on them.”