Work on a €300m power generation plant is being jeopardised by the "guerrilla-type actions" of an adjoining landowner, the High Court has heard today.

A MAJOR hurdle has been cleared in a proposal to build a €500 million gas- powered electricity plant on the Shannon Estuary.

SPANISH energy giant Endesa must provide more information on environmental issues as part of its planning application for a €500 million gas-fired power plant at Tarbert.

HEAVY traffic generated by the building of a power station and an accompanying LNG (liquefied natural gas) importing terminal in Tarbert, Co Kerry, could cause serious congestion in the village, an oral planning hearing was told in Listowel yesterday.

A €500 MILLION gas-fired power station would have huge economic benefits for the jobs-starved north Kerry area, an oral planning hearing was told in Listowel yesterday.

AMID growing concerns about delays in moving ahead with plans for a natural gas-fired power plant at Tarbert, Co Kerry, a two-day oral planning hearing into the project begins tomorrow.

HOPES were voiced yesterday that there would be no further delays in going ahead with a €500 million natural gas-fired energy project in Tarbert, Co Kerry.

PLANS by Endesa to reduce its workforce by 35 at its electricity generating plant, in north Kerry, were greeted by disappointment in the area yesterday.

Spanish energy giant Endesa said it has entered into negotiations with unions to reduce the workforce at its power plant in Tarbert, north Kerry, from 90 to 55.

THE value of mergers and acquisitions in Ireland plunged 70% over the past year with food, health and energy the most active sectors.

A Spanish company is to become Ireland's largest utility provider, after agreeing to buy 20% of ESB's generation assets.

THE largest electricity price increase in the history of the State will impact heavily on low-income families and OAPs, it has been claimed.

THERE is uncertainty over the future of about 180 jobs at the ESB, with the company reaching agreement over the sale of two of its electricity generating power stations.

An environmental group said radioactive contamination has been found outside a nuclear power station on the banks of a major river in Spain.

Takeover speculation and higher metals prices helped drive the London market forward to steady gains today.

Strong oil stocks and a fresh bout of takeover speculation kept the FTSE 100 Index in positive territory today.

The owner of electricity supplier Powergen said today higher power prices had helped ramp up sales as it stayed on course to hit growth targets.

THE European Union took its first step towards creating a single energy policy last night but countries made it clear there are limits to how far they will cooperate.

EU INTERNAL Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy is expected to declare all-out war today on France, Spain and Poland and other countries trying to block foreign takeovers.

Hopes of consolidation in the energy sector combined with a flurry of corporate results to send the FTSE 100 Index towards the 5900 mark today.

The latest flurry of deal-making in the energy sector added impetus to the London market today and put it within striking distance of the 5900 barrier.

Lower oil stocks derailed the FTSE 100 Index today as further strides towards the 6000 barrier came to nothing.

Hopes for a further round of takeover activity in the energy sector grew today following a £20 billion move by Powergen owner E.ON for Spanish firm Endesa.

The FTSE 100 Index continued its march towards the 6000 mark today as takeover activity in Europe boosted gas and electricity stocks in London.

Gas Natural, Spain’s biggest natural gas distributor, has launched Europe’s largest takeover bid this year by offering nearly £16bn (€23.6bn) in cash and shares for Endesa, the country’s leading electricity company, according to Gas Natural’s website.

Share prices extended their losses in late afternoon trade, dragged down by Wall Street, while Union Fenosa and Sogecable underperformed on debt and liquidity concerns, dealers said.