ESB vows charges will fall at opening of generating plant

THE ESB indicated it may cut household charges next year as the company officially opened a state- of-the-art generating plant capable of supplying 450,000 homes.

ESB chief executive Pádraig McManus said the company would be “competitive” when the regulator lifts restrictions preventing it from engaging in a price war with Bord Gáis. He made his comments as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, officially opened the ESB’s new €435 million gas-fired power station at Aghada, Co Cork.

A total of 80 people will be employed at the power station, which is the largest in Ireland and among the most efficient electricity generators in Europe.