Project overview
Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for building, managing and maintaining an extensive network of gas infrastructure across the Republic of Ireland. This includes the provision of new connections for customers who have been awarded ‘capacity’ contracts to supply electricity to the national grid.
Gas Networks Ireland has been contracted to connect a new Power Generation customer to the national gas network at Castlelost Power Station in Co. Westmeath. This involves the installation of a 5.6km transmission cross-country pipeline and the construction of an Above Ground Installation (AGI).
A live ‘hot-tap’ is also required, which means connecting the new pipeline to the existing network all while gas continues to flow uninterrupted to customers in the West of Ireland.
Gas forms a key part of Ireland’s current energy mix and is the backbone to the national electricity grid when it comes to ensuring continuity of power. When operational, this customer’s ‘peaking’ power plant will help meet peak demands for the uninterrupted supply of power to Irish households and businesses. It will also support the move towards renewable power, as these plants can flex up or down depending on the amount of power available from renewable sources at any given time.
This project forms part of Gas Networks Ireland’s critical infrastructure plan, helping to ensure we are meeting the country’s growing energy needs, while also supporting the transition to renewable power.
Key Features of the project include:
- 5.6km of heavy wall pipeline installed underground
- Pipeline crossings under 4 roads and across 3 bodies of water
- Live ‘hot-tap’ to connect the new pipeline to the existing pipeline
- New AGI with pressure reduction, metering and filtering
Fingleton White are the lead designer on this project, while construction works are being undertaken by Murphy International Ltd., and supervised by Gas Networks Ireland.
These works commenced in July 2024 and are now at an advanced stage.
We will be providing further updates on the project via this site so please check back for more information.
Environment and planning
This project was granted a Section 39A Consent (“Consent”) from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on 18 July, 2024.
The construction phase is undertaken in accordance with the conditions of this Consent, including a detailed construction environmental management plan and monitoring by an ecological clerk of works.
Upon completion, the land over which the underground pipeline is constructed will be returned to its former state in agreement with landowners.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Report and an Appropriate Assessment Screening Report were submitted as part of the Section 39A application. The Consent documents including all environmental reports are available to view at: https://www.cru.ie
In the community
Over the summer (2024) Gas Networks Ireland employees partnered with the Local Tidy Towns committee in Rochfortbridge to complete a litter pick and also identified 15 additional locations to be included in updated Rochfortbridge's wheelchair accessibility map.
Gas Networks Ireland was also last year appointed as one of twenty new Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Champions in Ireland. These initiatives, where community support activities occur alongside operational and pipeline work, is an example of the company's commitment to sustainable development, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Learn moreContact us
If you have a question, query or concern about this project then please contact one of our liaison officers who will be happy to help.
Our team is available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm and can be reached by email or phone.
E: businesslink@gasnetworks.ie
T: 1800 411 511 (toll free)
Please also check the ‘project updates’ section of this site for information.
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