Company eyes possible future Shannonbridge gas-powered station
A €488 million sale and acquisition package that includes a brownfield development site in Shannonbridge and a gas oil peaking power plant in Rhode is set to make new owners SSE Plc the third largest energy company in Ireland. However it was revealed this week the sale will not pave the way for any immediate development at the Shannonbridge site. An SSE spokesperson also confirmed the sale would have no effects, positive or negative, on the small job numbers at the Rhode plant. UK-based SSE Plc entered the Irish market in 2008 with the acquisition of Airtricity. The new deal that was announced last Friday at a press conference attended by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny also includes a second gas oil peaking power plant in Mayo, oil power plants in Wexford and Kerry, a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) currently under construction in Wexford that's expected to be commissioned in 2014 and a development option in Kerry with planning permission for a CCGT. A statement released last Friday said the development site at Shannonbridge included in the deal features infrastructure "that could support future construction of new thermal generation plant later in the decade, subject to planning permission being secured". Speaking to the Westmeath Independent this week SSE Head of Corporate Communications (Ireland) Jason Cooke confirmed that the sale will not mean any development at the Shannonbridge site in the short term. However he said a CCGT similar to the one currently being built in Wexford could be situated at Shannonbridge in the future. "Shannonbridge will provide us with options in the next decade," he said. Speaking to the Westmeath Independent in the wake of the news local councillor Connie Hanniffy said any development in the future that would interfere with the environment of Shannonbridge and its environs would be "a pity", but added that on the other hand if such a project offered employment "one would have to be weighed up against the other". Fellow Offaly county councillor Liam Quinn from Rhode said he would be making contact with SSE over the coming days in order to talk about plans for Rhode in particular. "I would have slight reservations when a company buys several plants that rationalisation will occur," he said, adding that he will be looking for promises that the status of the Rhode power plant will remain as it is or expanded in the future. Mr Cooke described the peaking plant at Rhode, which is remotely controlled, as "not labour intensive" and said there are no projected new jobs associated with the project. However he did say that the plant is valued by its new owners and will make a very valuable contribution for SSE towards providing a secure, sustainable supply for Airtricity customers. SSE Plc has plans to recruit 100 employees over the coming year to support its expanding business in energy supply and renewable energy development and operation. However the Shannonbridge site and the remotely controlled Rhode plant will be unaffected by the recruitment drive that will bring SSE employee numbers to over 900 according to Mr Cooke. Speaking at last Friday's press conference An Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the investment as "a great vote of confidence in Ireland and our economy". He said secure energy supply is crucial for future investment and jobs, and also presents other significant economic opportunites for Ireland. The sale announced last week is subject to approval by the Irish Competition Authority. It's expected the purchase will be completed later this summer.