Bord na Móna is to apply for planning permission to burn biomass in its Edenderry power plant, which would keep the facility in production through to 2030 if successful.
Confirming the news to AgriLand, a spokesperson for the semi-state company said:
“Bord na Móna intends to apply for planning permission for its Edenderry Power Station in the coming months to allow it to continue to generate renewable electricity, using 100% sustainable biomass.
“The permission would allow it to operate to 2030 as its current permission will expire in 2023.
Edenderry Power currently employs 62 skilled workers and contributes an estimated €15 million to the midlands economy annually.
“Approximately 100 additional workers are involved in the harvesting and supply of peat to Edenderry Power.
“The move away from peat supply jobs will, to a large extent, be offset by roles in biomass supply and logistics.
“If granted planning permission, Edenderry Power would be Ireland’s only utility scale power station to be 100% fuelled by sustainable biomass and will continue to be the largest dispatchable generator of renewable electricity on the island of Ireland,” the spokesperson said.
This will be followed followed by Lough Ree Power station next Friday, December 18.