Diesel generators installed in former power stations in Offaly

The ESB has installed a number of diesel generators in Shannonbridge and Rhode Power Stations.

Last April it was reported that An Bord Pleanála had cleared the way for the Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan to approve a proposal for emergency gas-fired power generation in Shannonbridge. The proposal was for eight open-cycle gas turbine units, fuelled by diesel oil, which will have the capacity to generate some 264MW of temporary emergency electricity on 9.22 hectares within the West Offaly Power Station site.

The Shannonbridge project will also include eight 30-metre tall steel exhaust stacks and two 11kV generator step-up transformers.

The ESB says the emergency plant will have a maximum running time of 500 hours per annum, and will operate only intermittently to meet emergency supply needs.

The planning board ruled it was satisfied the development would not have any unacceptable impacts on the environment, which includes the three designated European sites in the vicinity, Middle Shannon Callows SPA, River Suck Callows SPA and River Shannon Callows SAC.

Emergency legislation was passed in the Oireachtas late last year, designed to address potential electricity supply deficit over the coming winters so that they can be used to allay any loss of electricity supply by wind turbines, when the wind is not blowing. 

The board's assessment said diesel generators will lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, but the effect on the environment will not be significant.

It's been stressed that this new gas-fired plant in Shannonbridge is independent of the ESB's plan to demolish the existing power station.

The plan is that the two plants in Rhode and Shannonbridge will be ready to meet any challenges which the coming winter might bring.

The news of the installation of diesel generators in Shannonbridge has been met with bemusement and anger locally, with many people wondering if it was a wrong decision to close down the peat-fired 135MW West Offaly Power in 2020.

Save Our Shannon Organisation is one of the local groups which feels critical of the current situation.

"I was taken aback," said Liam Broderick of SOSO, "when I heard that eight of these diesel generators have been erected on the site of the power station, with chimneys, so that they can be used in winter time, in an emergency situation. I've been told that these turbines will burn in excess of 10 million litres of diesel in 72 hours! (This is a conservative estimate!)  I've also heard that these diesel generators are located in Rhode and are up and running.  It begs the question, what carbon footprint will these generators produce? Will Shannonbridge and its environs be black with smoke? What are the chimneys for but to belch out the smoke? Tanker loads of diesel being produced, shipped, delivered and burned will undoubtedly cause a large carbon footprint. It also amazes us in SOSO that the Government seems perfectly ok with this state of affairs."