New ESB power station launched

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has launched a new power station project at Shannonbridge, Co Offaly this afternoon.

The development is one of the largest-ever industrial investments in the midlands and involves an investment by the ESB of €240m. It's due to be completed by 2005.

The plant is one of two peat power stations being constructed by the ESB to replace existing peat plants.

The other station is being developed at Lanesboro in Co Longford.