The ESB has deferred a decision on the closure of its power station in Rhode, Co Offaly.
The station which currently employs over 100 people has not produced electricity since last May when safety concerns were raised after an employee was seriously injured in an accident.
The future of the station also has direct implications for 90 permanent Bord na Mona workers in the area.
In a statement today the ESB board of directors said it had considered the future of Rhode Generating Station.
It said it had received extensive information on the present state of the plant and safety issues.
"The Board asked the management to engage with the trade unions and staff with a view to agreeing the closure programme," it said.
The station at Rhode, along with a number of others, are scheduled to be shut down in 2003 and to be replaced by two new power stations.
The ESB is seeking Bord Pleanala approval for the construction of two stations in the midlands at Shannonbridge in County Offaly and Lanesborough, County Longford.
The company is considering whether to close the station prior to 2003 on account of the safety concerns.
