The temporary closure of the Screebe power station hits local turf producers.
The closure of the turf fired Screebe power station near Maam Cross has had detrimental effects on turf producers in Connemara.
The turf fired generating station here at Screebe is just one of four of its kind in the country.
The station is one of four that burn turf similar with others located at Milltown Malbay, Cahirciveen and Gweedore. Between them, they make a small but significant contribution to the overall power supply of the ESB.
Screebe power station was built in 1957 and burns about £100,000 worth of turf each year and provides direct and indirect employment all over the Connemara region. Every year, turf producers supply the station with around three and a half to four thousand tonnes of turf. However, this year because of a major fault at the generator, the station has not taken in the turf.
It's now lying on the roadsides all over Connemara.
Farmers and suppliers are angry with the ESB over the manner in which they have handled the problem which has caused producers a great deal of hardship.
Farmer Michael Keogh says that news that the station will not reopen for another two months is very disappointing for all the turf producers in the region.
The ESB says it regrets the problems which have arisen at Screebe but says it had no option but to take the station out of service when a serious fault was identified.
Finbar O'Shea of the ESB says that once the station is back operating, there will be no problem in taking all the available turf.
Farmer John O'Shea says that the advanced payments has only provided producers with some of the money that they need to keep the banks from their doors.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 January 1983. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
