Sir, – In relation to your recent coverage of the Aughinish Alumina plant, perhaps some facts on the plant’s achievements should also be stated, at this time, in the interests of balance.
The plant was opened in 1978 and was, at the time, the second-largest industrial investment in the history of the State. It is currently Europe’s largest alumina refinery. The construction of the plant required big civil and structural engineering works, extensive mechanical and process engineering installations, and a unique 160MW combined heat and power (CHP) system, which is still operating.
The civil and mechanical works were completed largely by Irish contractors and engineers, which was a big achievement for a State with little experience of such facilities and at the scale required.
The CHP plant, which is highly efficient, generates power and steam for the processes and is fired by lower-emissions natural gas. Of the 160MW of power generated, 45MW is used for baseload demand (24-hour shift) and the remaining 115MW is exported to the national grid.
RM Block
This is sufficient power for approximately 100,000 households. In this respect, the design of the plant was very enlightened for its time and is still relevant, as renewable technology cannot provide electrical power for 24-hour baseload demand.
Aside from the current controversial issues of EU sanctions and environmental waste disposal, the construction and successful operation of this plant over a 40-year period is a big achievement for the Limerick region, the employees, and indeed the State itself.
Ireland is not noted internationally as a prime location for heavy industry of this type and many are surprised to learn of its scale and complexity. These facts should not be lost sight of in the current deliberations. – Yours, etc,
BEN COSTELLOE PhD, CEng
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.
