Firm to tap into earth for energy

IRELAND may soon be harnessing the power of the earth to fuel our energy needs after a planning application was lodged for the country’s first geothermal electricity plant.

The power plant is planned to be erected in Newcastle, south Co Dublin, by GT Energy.

It is envisaged the plant will generate up to 4MW of electricity using geothermal energy – an output capable of supplying electricity to the equivalent of 8,000 three-bed homes.