Two new renewable energy sites are to be developed at ESB's Midland sites in Lanesborough and Shannonbridge.

The new sites will facilitate ever-more renewable electricity on Ireland's grid and, in turn, help the country achieve its climate goals by 2030.

Though the large industrial power stations will be demolished in line with our planning obligations, the company is exploring how other buildings on the sites could be handed over for use by community groups.

Following the closure of the stations, ESB engineering teams engaged with the Just Transition Commissioner and County Councils to consider alternative uses for the existing plant and equipment. Unfortunately, having considered commercial and climate action realities in particular, no viable solution was found to repurpose the plants.

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However, ESB can confirm that, following a comprehensive feasibility study in recent months, both our sites at Shannonbridge and Lanesborough have the potential for providing energy services which would facilitate the growth in renewable generation. This position was validated by an external engineering consultancy.

In this context, ESB is currently developing planning applications for both station sites as renewable energy centres, in anticipation of future competitive tenders to be held by EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). The proposed technology includes synchronous condensers and energy storage capabilities at both locations. Detailed environmental assessments will be carried out in support of those applications.

Should these applications be successful, ESB's plans would then enable the company to successfully develop these sites within the appropriate regulatory, environmental and planning timelines.

ESB remains committed to the Midlands through the development of these projects, its €5m contribution to the Just Transition fund and its Networks operations which employ over 400 highly skilled engineers, technicians and office workers in the region - as well as our National Training Centre for Network Technicians in Portlaoise.