The Shannonbridge Power Plant is an ongoing new temporary reserve power plant, which is being developed in Ireland by EirGrid and the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland (ESB). The plant will have an installed capacity of 264MW.
It will function as a backup power plant to support the Irish power grid during electricity shortages in the coming winters over five years, until the end of the winter season of 2026-2027.
Recommended White Papers
Recommended Buyers Guides
Construction works commenced at the beginning of 2023, while the first emergency generator of the power plant is expected to commence operation in the fourth quarter of 2023.
It is expected to create approximately 100 jobs during its peak construction phase.
Location of the Shannonbridge Power Plant
The Shannonbridge power project is located on a 9.22ha site in the administrative area of Offaly County Council in central Ireland. The proposed development site lies in the northern part of the existing West Offaly Power (WOP) station site.
Shannonbridge Power Plant make-up
The Shannonbridge power project will feature eight GE LM2500XPRESS gas turbine units with associated ancillary connection infrastructure, site works and services. Each turbine unit will comprise a single gas turbine and a single alternating current generator. Each unit will be equipped with weatherproof, acoustic enclosures and dedicated ventilation systems.
The turbine units will utilise distillate diesel oil as fuel and each unit will have a nominal capacity of 35MWe.
The eight gas turbine generator units will be connected to two 110kV step-up transformers via cables running on elevated pipe/cable racks. Power will be exported to the bay of an existing 110kV substation within the boundary of the WOP station site and distributed to the national grid.
The project is expected to have a useful life of up to five years, operating up to 500 hours a year, following which the plant will be disconnected, dismantled and removed from the site.
Construction details of the Shannonbridge Power Plant
The scope of construction works and services includes components such as eight 30m-long steel exhaust stacks, each with a 3.3m diameter and two 110kV generator step-up transformers. Two Hypact compact switchgear units, surge arrestors, two GSUT protection relay panels and two BOP power control modules (BOP-PCM) will also be installed, among others.
The project will also have an administration building, water storage tank, plant wastewater system and fire protection systems. Ten units of 70t distillate oil storage tanks and three distillate oil circular steel storage tanks, each with a capacity of 1,690t, will also be constructed.
Contractors involved in the Shannonbridge Power Project
GE Vernova is providing services such as maintenance and operation works, including the supply of eight GE LM2500XPRESS aeroderivative gas turbines for the project. GE Gas Power’s Manufacturing Excellence Center, located in Veresegyhaz, Hungary, will manufacture the gas turbines. GE will also provide a three-year operations and maintenance service for the project.
Argan’s subsidiary Atlantic Projects and its sister company Gemma Power Systems will collaborate with GE Vernova to oversee the entire project cycle, which includes design, procurement, construction and commissioning works. Argan is providing engineering, procurement and construction services for the project.
Infrastructure consulting company AECOM (Ireland) prepared the environmental report of the project on behalf of the ESB. An Bord Pleanála, Ireland’s national independent planning body, was responsible for the environmental assessment of the project.
Benefits
The project will provide regional employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy by involving local stakeholders, including government agencies, regulatory bodies and the community, throughout the project.
The project will contribute to Ireland’s sustainable energy future. It will provide a reliable source of temporary power, serving as flexible and emergency power, while minimising the risk of electricity supply shortages.
