New power plant - Conditions on ESB good for consumer

IN granting permission for the ESB to build a new power station at Aghada, near Midleton, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources Noel Dempsey may be doing the consumer a favour, even though some of the conditions he attached may be commercially controversial.

Although the ESB will be able to build the €300 million plant, the minister is insisting that all power it produces must be sold to competitors, such as Airtricity and Viridian. The minister has also stipulated that the plant be operated as a company separate from the ESB.

While these conditions may prove difficult for the State company to contemplate, the prospect of more competition, and consequently cheaper power, has to be welcomed by the consumer, already faced with higher fuel charges this year.