SSE plc has confirmed a final investment decision to build the new Platin Power Station in County Meath.

The plant, which represents a capital investment of up to €300 million, will play a key role in providing flexible, reliable backup power during peak demand periods in the Leinster region, while supporting the growing share of renewable energy on the grid. Designed for flexibility, the station can be quickly powered up or down in response to demand.

Backed by a 10-year Capacity Market agreement worth approximately €250 million, the project reinforces Ireland’s energy resilience for the decade ahead. It is SSE’s second major investment decision in 2025, following the launch of construction for Tarbert Next Generation Power Station in County Kerry earlier this year.

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Platin Power Station will consist of three separate units with planning permission for up to 170MW of output. It will use Siemens Energy SGT-800 turbines in open cycle mode and has been designed with long-term sustainability in mind. The facility will initially run on Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a low-carbon biofuel, with plans to seek consent for natural gas use to maximise operational flexibility.

Importantly, the turbine technology also holds the potential to convert to hydrogen fuel in the future, when infrastructure and policy frameworks are in place, a move that aligns with SSE’s broader decarbonisation strategy for its thermal generation fleet.

Limerick-based Atlantic Projects Company (APC) has been selected as a lead delivery partner, providing balance of plant services. APC is already engaged on SSE’s Tarbert project and will bring its expertise to the Platin development. Construction is set to begin this autumn, with completion targeted for 2028.

The project builds on SSE Thermal's collaboration with Siemens Energy, which includes the 'Mission H2 Power' initiative to develop gas turbines capable of running on 100% hydrogen by 2030, and the Aldbrough Hydrogen Pathfinder project in the UK.