New Deal For Kilroot Power Plant But Jobs Still At Risk

Kilroot power station near Carrickfergus, which has been at risk of closing, has been given a new one-year deal for electricity supply after negotiations with the NI Utility Regulator.

Its owners, AES, said the move will "ensure energy stability" for Northern Ireland.

The deal will preserve around 180 jobs that were previously at risk, but 85 roles are set to be axed at its Ballylumford sister station outside Islandmagee.

Both power stations are owned by the US energy giant, which has decided to move its Ballylumford output to Kilroot.

The company is set to begin discussions with employees and trade union officials on mitigating compulsory redundancies. It emphasised that it did not want to pre-empt the process and discuss the number of positions under threat.

The announcement is a reprieve for the workers at Kilroot, as AES previously said as many as 250 jobs were at risk.

President of AES Eurasia Mark Green said: "For more than 20 years AES has provided safe and reliable energy to Northern Ireland while demonstrating operational and safety excellence.

"The system support services agreement awarded to AES Kilroot Power Limited shows the importance of the facilities we are operating. We are happy that both the Utility Regulator and SONI continue to see AES UK and Ireland as a reliable partner."



(JG)