New 170MW power station in County Meath will back up a renewables-led system
Delivery will represent a total capital investment of up to €300 million
Plant would be capable of converting to 100% hydrogen in the future
SSE plc has taken a final investment decision to build Platin Power Station in County Meath. The plant will strengthen security of supply and respond to periods of high demand in the Leinster region, while providing reliable backup power to increasing amounts of renewable energy on the system. Due to its flexibility, the station can be easily switched on and off as demand peaks.
Delivery of Platin Power Station represents a total capital investment of up to €300m and follows SSE’s decision, in February 2025, to progress Tarbert Next Generation Power Station in Co. Kerry to construction. Platin Power Station is underpinned by a 10-year Capacity Market agreement, with a total value of around €250m, supporting Ireland’s energy security for the next decade.
Consisting of three separate units, the station - which has planning consent for up to 170MW - would be powered by Siemens Energy SGT-800 turbines operating in open cycle mode. The plant has been designed for long-term sustainability, with the capability to run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable biofuel. SSE will also be seeking consent to run the station on natural gas, in addition to HVO, to fully utilise the plant’s capability to meet Ireland’s energy needs.
The turbine technology also has the potential to convert to hydrogen when infrastructure, fuel availability and policy frameworks allow. This forward-looking approach underscores SSE’s commitment to decarbonising its flexible power generation fleet.
SSE has selected Limerick-headquartered Atlantic Projects Company (APC) as a lead partner on the project to provide the balance of plant services. APC is already working on Tarbert Next Generation Power Station. Construction activity at Platin is expected to commence this autumn, with planned completion in 2028.
This new project builds on SSE Thermal’s existing partnership with Siemens Energy, which includes ‘Mission H2 Power’, a multi-million-pound co-investment to deliver gas turbine technology capable of running on 100% hydrogen by 2030. It also includes working together on the first-of-a-kind Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project in the UK, which would demonstrate the interactions between hydrogen production, storage and 100% hydrogen dispatchable power generation.
Finlay McCutcheon, Managing Director of SSE Thermal, said:
“We’re pleased to be delivering a new power station at Platin, creating new and enduring jobs in the local area, while providing much-needed flexible power generation to support security of supply and Ireland’s net zero ambitions.
“With two major investment decisions taken so far in 2025, totalling up to €600m, SSE is clear in its commitment to investing right across the energy system in Ireland. With onshore wind farms across the island and major plans to unlock Ireland’s offshore wind potential, we know firsthand the important role flexible generation will continue to play as we increase renewables on the system, and, critically, we are committed to ensuring the station has a pathway to future decarbonisation.
“We’re now focused on delivering Platin Power Station safely and efficiently in collaboration with our partners in Siemens Energy and Atlantic Project Company, and we look forward to working with the Irish Government to deliver future routes to decarbonisation.”
Darren Davison, Vice President for UK & Ireland at Siemens Energy, commented:
“Working together with key partners like SSE, we’re focused on helping Ireland navigate the complexities of the energy transition, providing solutions to power its prosperity. The new power station at Platin, once completed, will provide flexible reliable power that is critical for Ireland’s energy security.”
Charles E. Collins, IV, Managing Director, Atlantic Project Company, said:
“We are honoured to have been selected once again by SSE and thank them for their continued trust in Atlantic Projects Company. The Platin Power Station contract represents our second project with SSE this year, and we look forward to building on this strong partnership as we work together to deliver a successful project that supports the transition to cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable energy solutions.”