Ansaldo Energia bags gas turbine contract for Irish peaker plant

Ansaldo Energia and Kilshane Energy have announced they are collaborating on a new 300MW gas peaker project located in Kilshane, Dublin.

As part of the agreement, Ansaldo Energia will supply Kilshane Energy Ltd. with an AE94.3A gas turbine in open cycle configuration, along with the associated generator.

This technology will be installed in a flexible peaking plant to boost grid stability under all conditions.

According to Ansaldo Energia, the AE94.3A gas turbine is able to respond swiftly and dynamically to fluctuations in grid demand, making it an ideal solution to complement variable and non-dispatchable renewable energy sources.

Commissioning of the plant is scheduled for 2028.

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“This project is about resilience and flexibility,” said Brian McMullan, project lead for Kilshane Energy Ltd. “As Ireland moves towards a net zero energy system, we need reliable backup generation to complement the growing renewable fleet. The technology from Ansaldo Energia is not only flexible and robust, but it also offers a future pathway to decarbonisation, with the potential for hydrogen blending and other low-carbon fuels."

As installed solar and wind capacities have continued to expand, Ireland strategically decided to invest in gas-powered plants capable of supporting the grid and ensuring the country’s energy security. The Irish government plans to instal 2GW of flexible gas turbine plants, gradually phasing out coal generation.

This will ensure reserve capacity that can swiftly produce electricity during peak demand but also provide mechanical inertia, which is vital to prevent frequency fluctuations and imbalances in the grid.

Besides the Kilshane gas peaker plant, Ansaldo Energia is also currently working on two projects in the country, utilising AE94.3A technology. The first project, announced in July 2024, is the Poolbeg plant near Dublin. This open-cycle facility is being developed by the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) and is scheduled to become operational by 2027.

The second project, announced in February 2025, is the Tarbert Next Generation Power Station, developd by SSE Thermal.