Investment of £600m in Kilroot power station would create 200 construction jobs in ‘green energy park’

EPUK Investments (EPUKI) says their plans, which are at concept stage, would represent the largest ever single investment in electricity generation in Northern Ireland and could include a range of renewable energy technologies and electricity generation solutions on the 230 acre site.

The company says the plan would create over 200 high quality jobs during construction with over 150 full time operational jobs and would secure “vital indigenous generation” of the electricity supply for Northern Ireland.

In recent years some concerns have been raised locally about the extent to which Northern Ireland is dependent on the Republic of Ireland for electricity.

If taken forward in its entirety the vision would have the potential to generate up to 440MW of lower carbon and renewable energy, which is enough to power 500,000 homes. 

EPUKI Commercial Director Ian Luney said: “For decades now, the coal fired generating units at Kilroot have provided a hugely strategic and important source of electricity for homes and businesses across Northern Ireland.

“With the UK Government committed to phasing out coal powered electricity generation by 2025 and with Northern Ireland determined to lead the way in lower carbon and renewable energy generation, we have a fantastic opportunity to transform the Kilroot site allowing it to continue to remain one of the prime and core indigenous electricity generation sites in Northern Ireland.  

“Kilroot Energy Park will aim to deliver new highly flexible gas generation to complement the widespread use of renewable energy on the electricity system in Northern Ireland. This aligns with the strategic needs of the Northern Ireland system, which can utilise on any given day up to almost 70% of its electricity from renewable sources.’’

‘’In addition to this, we are looking at a range of other forms of renewable energy on the 230-acre site, including solar, battery storage, hydrogen and a Multi Fuel Combined Heat and Power (CHP) facility as well as a data centre.’’

Other proposals in the plans include an Education and Learning centre on the site to allow schools and the public to learn about environmentally friendly electricity.

The company says it is also planning to enhance the native flora and fauna and marine ecosystem along the park’s Belfast Lough shoreline in consultation with conservation organisations.

Mr Luney said there is a lot of work to be done “but the transition away from coal to lower carbon and renewable energy generation presents an incredible opportunity to transform the site”.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds welcomed the announcement.

“Having met with representatives of the company earlier in the year to hear their plans I am delighted to see them come to realisation,” she said.

‘’This represents a significant milestone and investment in the transition away from coal to lower carbon and renewable energy generation and is to be applauded. Work is currently underway within my Department on a new Energy Strategy which is being developed in the context of the UK’s legislative target of net zero carbon by 2050 on which we intend to consult by the end of 2020/21.”

 EP UK Investments (EPUKI) is a UK energy company, primarily focusing on power generation from conventional and renewable sources. EPUKI’s parent company EPH owns and operates assets in the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Germany, Italy, the UK and Hungary and is the 6th largest producer of power in Europe, employing over 25,000 people. It specialises in highly efficient cogeneration, power generation, natural gas transmission, gas storage, gas and electricity distribution and supply.

The company acquired Kilroot Power Station and Ballylumford Power Station from AES in June 2019.

It also owns  Langage Power Station and South Humber Power Station, which are gas-fired power stations located near Plymouth in Devon and in Immingham, North East Lincolnshire. It also owns and operates Lynemouth Power Station, a biomass fuelled power plant in Northumberland.