ESB to close Offaly peat plant

The ESB has announced its Rhode peat plant in Co Offaly is to close down.

The facility has not been in operation since a staff member was injured when a boiler tube ruptured in May 2001.

However, ESB management has approved additional capital expenditure of €6.9m to continue the development of two new peat-fired stations in the midlands.

They are located at Shannonbridge, Co Offaly and Lanesboro, Co Longford and will create up to 1,200 jobs during the construction phase.

Thirty-two people will be employed in the general running of the stations.