Coolkeeragh ESB is a dynamic, cross border partnership bringing together Coolkeeragh Power Ltd., and leaders in international investment development and management in the power sector, ESB International (ESBI).

Coolkeeragh ESB was established to successfully pursue a joint bid to construct a £200m 400 megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant, at the site of the former Coolkeeragh oil fired power station.

Coolkeeragh Power Limited (CPL) had been generating electricity since 1959 and ceased operations at the end of March 2005.

ESB International

ESB International's business is providing engineering and consulting services, developing and investing in independent power plants internationally. ESBI has a proven and successful international track record in investing, building and running major power generation projects and is a trusted partner in the industry.

In addition to the Coolkeeragh Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant, ESBI also operates similar plants in Corby in England and is constructing an 800 MW plant at Amorebieta in northern Spain and developing a new plant at Marchwood in the south-east of England.

ESBI employs 1500 and manages 5,000 MW of electricity generation overseas. It has operations and projects in over 40 countries, including UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Namibia, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia and Vietnam.

ESBI is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESB, the national electricity utility of Ireland since 1927.

Coolkeeragh ESB Power Plant
This 400 MW merchant plant is one of the largest inward investments in the region. This plant is more than twice as efficient as the former oil-fired power station it replaces. As its primary fuel is natural gas, it will be providing an environmentally friendly source of low cost, reliable electricity.

The principal contractor for the construction of the Coolkeeragh ESB power plant was a consortium of General Electric, from the United States and VATech Hydro, an Austrian company. There was a two year construction programme with 700 people working on the site at the peak of construction, many of whom were local contractors.

The plant is at the final stages of its commissioning and testing and is scheduled to start commercial production at the end of the month.