SIPTU members at Born Na Mona (BNM) are to seek an urgent meeting with climate action and environment minister, Denis Naughten, to discuss the future of the 1300 workers employed at the company’s power stations in the midlands whose jobs are under threat. On 14th October, the High Court granted a stay to three BNM companies subsidiary companies allowing them to continue operations at the peat burning plants pending a decision by An Bord Pleanála on their future. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “The continuing uncertainty about the long-term future of the plants is causing immense strain to hundreds of workers and their families. Closure of the Edenderry plant, run by Edenderry Power Ltd., would lead directly to 250 to 300 job losses. The two other peat burning power stations in the Midlands are also under threat, which means up to 1,300 other direct jobs could be at risk while many more people also depend on the BNM operations for their livelihoods.” He added: “SIPTU members are confident that BNM, of which Edenderry Power is a wholly owned subsidiary, does have a viable plan and long term strategy for the plant. The plan envisages the development of a biomass industry which will replace its traditional peat energy business by 2030. Biomass use in the Edenderry plant is currently at 35% (350,000 tonnes) and will rise to 50% (500,000 tonnes) by 2020 while the company intends to continue to reduce the use of peat thereafter.” “We require an urgent engagement with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, to discuss the future of these plants and the many thousands of people who depend on them.”
SIPTU members seek urgent meeting with minister on future of BNM plants
