GT Energy, a company that specializes in harnessing deep geothermal energy, has lodged a planning application with South Dublin County Council for a geothermal power plant in Ireland.

The new 4MW power plant will be erected on a site in Greenogue Business Park in Newcastle, South County Dublin, and the cost of the facility will amount to €30m.

GT Energy managing director Padraig Hanly said that it will be the first facility of its kind in Ireland and will bring on stream a new renewable energy source, which can contribute significantly to Ireland’s Renewable Action Plan and energy targets.

First phases of the plant’s construction will involve the drilling and testing of the required wells followed by the design and construction of the actual power plant.

Subject to the required planning, licensing, legislation and REFITs being in place, drilling of the wells will commence in early 2011 and the plant is scheduled to be operational and connected to the national grid in late 2012.