Viridian plan to build second station

NORTHERN Ireland electricity generator Viridian Group wants to build a second €250 million plus power station near Dublin, it emerged yesterday.

Viridian, quoted on the Irish and London stock exchanges, yesterday reported a strong set of annual results with full-year net profit of £51.7 million, up from a net loss of £22.6 million, turnover increasing to £781.2m (2002 £730.0m), operating profit pre exceptional items and goodwill amortisation increasing to £111.7m (£97.7m) and adjuster pre-tax profits hitting £80.5m (£69.8m).

Viridian chairman Philip Rogerson said the company wants to grow its market share in the Irish republic where the company commissioned a 343-megawatt, combined cycle gas turbine station at Huntstown, near Dublin in the last year. The company already has planning permission for a second station on the site.