Energy regulator reveals power station plans

The Commission for Energy Regulation is to hold a competition to build a new independent electricity generating plant in Ireland.

Proposals from interested parties will be invited in April, when the commission plans to begin the tender process.

It hopes to award the contract by October 1 with a view to having the new power plant operational by 2005.

The commission said it hopes the new plant would increase Ireland's generating capacity in time to meet a predicted shortfall in the coming years.