Northern Ireland’s economy minister, Gordon Lyons, visited Kilroot Power Station to hear about plans to enhance the security of supply and produce electricity in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The minister toured the power station site, where a £600 million energy park has been proposed and met with representatives from owners EP UK Investments (EPUKI).
“My Department and I are committed to the vision set out in the Energy Strategy consultation for net-zero carbon and affordable energy and look forward to working with EPUKI in reaching this goal,” Gordon Lyons, economy Minister, said. “These power stations are vital to the security of electricity supply in Northern Ireland and can play a key role as we move towards ending the use of coal and aim for increasingly greater levels of low carbon and renewable electricity to ultimately replace fossil fuels.
The company has previously stated that as well as powering up to 500,000 homes, the energy park has the potential to create over 200 jobs during construction and more than 150 full-time operational posts.
“Our plans will ensure the transition towards lower carbon generation as well as protecting security and stability of supply for Northern Ireland through the continuation of indigenous dispatchable generation,” Ian Luney, commercial director of EP UK Investments, said. “They will result in a significant investment of over 600 million pounds in the local economy and will also safeguard jobs at this location. The Department for the Economy has a vital role to play in the development of an Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we seek to play our part in the low carbon transition of Northern Ireland’s economy.”
