SSE green lights new €300m power station in Meath  

Company already investing in €300m next generation power station in Kerry

Energy firm SSE has given the green light to plans for a €300m power station at Platin in Co Meath. (Picture: Stock)

Energy firm SSE has given the green light to plans for a €300m power station at Platin in Co Meath. 

Platin Power Station will respond to periods of high demand in the Leinster region, providing back-up power to increasing amounts of renewable energy on the system, and will be switched on and off as demand peaks.

"Delivery of Platin Power Station represents a total capital investment of up to €300m and follows SSE’s decision, in February 2025, to progress Tarbert Next Generation Power Station in Co. Kerry to construction," a statement from SSE said. 

SSE's site in Tarbert in Kerry is being upgraded into a next generation power station. The new station to be built in Meath will provide back-up power during peak demand.

Limerick-headquartered Atlantic Projects Company (APC) has been confirmed as lead partner on the project. APC is already working on the Tarbert station in Kerry. Construction activity at Platin is expected to commence this autumn, with planned completion in 2028.

The station has planning consent for up to 170MW and will be powered by Siemens Energy SGT-800 turbines. The plant has been designed with the capability to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which is a more sustainable biofuel. 

SSE will also be seeking consent to run the station on natural gas, in addition to HVO, to fully utilise the plant’s capability to meet Ireland’s energy needs. The turbine technology also has the potential to convert to hydrogen when infrastructure, fuel availability and policy frameworks allow. "This forward-looking approach underscores SSE’s commitment to decarbonising its flexible power generation fleet," said a company statement.

“We’re pleased to be delivering a new power station at Platin, creating new and enduring jobs in the local area, while providing much needed flexible power generation to support security of supply and Ireland’s net zero ambitions," said SSE Thermal managing director Finlay McCutcheon. “With two major investment decisions taken so far in 2025, totalling up to €600m, SSE is clear in its commitment to investing right across the energy system in Ireland."

SSE Thermal is already working with Siemens Energy on a multi-million-pound co-investment to deliver gas turbine technology capable of running on 100% hydrogen by 2030.