The ESB have announced they will close two power plants in the midlands as they are no longer viable.
Workers at the Lough Ree plant in Longford and the Shannonbridge plant in west Offaly were summoned to a meeting this morning.
Planning permission to redevelop the Shannonbridge plant from peat-burning to biomass was refused by An Bord Pleanala in July of this year.
And the Lough Ree plant was forced to close for three months earlier this year over environmental concerns.
Seventy staff members lost their jobs as a result. The plant re-opened in September.
A statement from the ESB said: "ESB has undertaken a review of the options for both West Offaly Power and Lough Ree Power stations post 2020 in the context of the requirements of the single electricity market (SEM).
"Having considered the key planning, environmental and commercial issues associated with peat and biomass, regrettably there is no viable business model beyond 2020.
"Therefore both stations will cease generation of electricity at the end of December 2020."
The company went on to say that the closures were a "a matter of significant regret for ESB".
A spokesperson added: "ESB very much appreciates the commitment of our staff and the support of the broader community over many decades during which ESB, in strong collaboration with Bord na Móna, played a key role in the development of the economy in the midlands."
ESB say they will now engage with staff and stakeholders to prepare for an "orderly closure of the stations."
The ESB will contribute €5m to the Government's Just Transition Fund for the midlands in light of the closures.
The Bord na Mona group of Unions has said it is disappointed by the news.
They have accused ESB bosses of misleading staff over the past two years with alternative plans.
