SSE plc has announced the final investment decision to build Platin Power Station in County Meath, a power plant designed to provide flexibility and security to the energy supply in the Leinster region. This new site, with an authorized capacity of 170MW, will play a central role in providing backup power during demand peaks and stabilising a grid that is increasingly fed by renewable energy sources.
A significant investment for Ireland
The Platin Power Station project represents a financial commitment from SSE plc of up to €300mn ($326mn). This decision follows the one made for the Tarbert Next Generation Power Station, also located in Ireland, further strengthening the operator’s position in the local market. The investment is supported by a 10-year Capacity Market contract worth approximately €250mn ($272mn), securing revenue for the next decade and reinforcing the stability of the national electrical system.
Siemens Energy technology and future hydrogen conversion
The plant will be equipped with three SGT-800 turbines supplied by Siemens Energy AG, operating in open-cycle mode. The installation stands out for its ability to quickly start and stop according to grid needs, optimising its operational flexibility. Platin Power Station is also designed to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a biofuel, in addition to natural gas, thus offering several alternatives to meet energy demand.
SSE plans to convert the infrastructure to hydrogen once fuel supply, necessary infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks are in place. This technological direction allows the company to prepare its assets for future developments in the energy market.
Industrial partnerships and construction schedule
The balance of plant services has been awarded to Atlantic Projects Company Ltd., based in Limerick, which is already collaborating with SSE on other projects, including the Tarbert Next Generation Power Station. Construction of Platin Power Station is expected to start in the autumn, with a planned completion in 2028.
SSE is also leveraging its strategic partnership with Siemens Energy AG to integrate new technologies, including those developed under the ‘Mission H2 Power’ programme and the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project in the UK. These initiatives aim to validate the interactions between hydrogen production, storage, and dispatchable hydrogen power generation on an industrial scale.
Leaders from SSE plc, Siemens Energy AG, and Atlantic Projects Company Ltd. have emphasised the importance of this project for Ireland’s energy sector and the crucial role of flexible thermal generation during the transition to a greener electricity mix.
