Ireland-based energy company Electricity Supply Board (ESB) has opened a new €820m gas fired power station at Carrington near Manchester, UK.

Becoming fully operational in September last year, this 884MW plant has created 40 permanent jobs on-site, supplying more than one million homes and businesses in the Greater Manchester area.

With 58% efficiency, Carrington power station generates four times more electricity than the coal plant it replaced. Based on the 884MW reliable base load electricity, the plant is expected to provide fast back-up during intermittent wind and solar generation.

ESB's chairman Ellvena Graham said: "Carrington power station is a significant expansion in ESB’s operations in Great Britain and builds on our 25-year record of successful investments in the UK.

"This new power station comes into operation at a time when efficient, reliable, and flexible power plants such as Carrington are increasingly needed."

"Producing enough electricity to power more than one million homes and businesses, this new power station comes into operation at a time when efficient, reliable, and flexible power plants such as Carrington are increasingly needed to ensure security of electricity supplies into the future."

ESB also operates a 350MW gas generation plant in Corby and three onshore windfarms at Fullabrook (66MW), Mynydd y Betws (37.5MW), and West Durham (24MW).

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

In collaboration with the Green Investment Bank, the firm is currently constructing a £190m 40MW waste wood biomass plant at Tilbury in Essex, which is expected to begin operations later this year. It is also planning for a 1,650MW gas fired power station at Knottingley in West Yorkshire.


Image: Carrington power station official opening. Photo: courtesy of Greg Harding/Flickr.