The Commission for Energy Regulation has announced details of a competition to award an electricity generation contract to a new power station in Ireland.
The new power station's capacity must not exceed 531MW, and is targeted for opening in November 2005.
The CER says the competition is being held to address a projected electricity shortage in 2005.
Potential bidders for the contract include Northern Irish group Viridian, Ireland Power (backed by US bank Babcock Brown), Aughinish Alumina, and Rolls Royce.
Viridian has already built a power station at Huntstown in Northwest Dublin, and has planning permission for a second facility.
The winner of the contract will secure a contract with ESB to supply electricity to the national grid for up to 10 years.
