Project overview
Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for building, managing and maintaining an extensive network of gas infrastructure across the Republic of Ireland, including the provision of new connections.
Our customer, ESB Generation & Trading, is constructing four new gas turbines - three of which are now built - at its sites in Corduff, Poolbeg and Ringsend in Dublin, which will deliver energy capacity and services as the electricity grid facilitates an increasing amount of renewable energy.
As part of its remit, Gas Networks Ireland is responsible for connecting these new gas turbines to the existing national gas network.
Capacity had to be increased at our Above Ground Installation (AGI) in Abbotstown, Co. Dublin in order to supply gas to two of the three sites. The gas pipeline at Abbotstown feeds the corresponding AGIs at Ringsend, Poolbeg and will in time, also feed another AGI at Poolbeg.
Additionally, a new 450m gas pipeline feeds the Goddamendy AGI, providing gas to the Corduff FlexGen power plant. The new pipeline was linked to our existing Ballough to Brownsbarn pipeline via ‘hot tap’.
Three of the four turbines have now been connected with construction completed in 2024. These works were carried out while also maintaining supply to the downstream network, ensuring citizens and businesses in the area did not suffer interruptions to their gas supply. The remaining turbine at Poolbeg is scheduled to be completed in 2026.
Project overview:
- Corduff FlexGen OCGT is supplied by Goddamendy AGI – now operational
- Poolbeg FlexGen OCGT is supplied by Abbotstown (40barg) – now operational
- Ringsend FlexGen OCGT is supplied by Abbotstown (40barg) – now operational
- Poolbeg OCGT will be supplied by Abbotstown (40barg) – operational in 2026
Project features:
- Upgraded AGIs
- New interconnecting Transmission pipework and new Distribution pipeline
- Three live ‘hot taps’ connecting the new pipework to the existing pipeline
- New filtering and metering skids, boiler system, heat exchangers and pressure reduction skid
- Testing and commissioning of new equipment
- Decommissioning and/or removal of some existing equipment
- Reinstatement works following construction
For works completed to date, our project delivery partners were Fingleton White, NeoDyne and Murphy.
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. These projects account for four of eleven peaking power plants that Gas Networks Ireland has been contracted to connect by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities. This stream of work spans several years and is part of Gas Networks Ireland’s strategic infrastructure plan, helping to ensure we are meeting the country’s growing energy needs, while also supporting the transition to renewable power.
Gas to Poolbeg OCGT Phase 5
A new Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) is due to be constructed by ESB at the site of the existing Poolbeg AGI in Dublin Bay. This will involve Gas Networks Ireland connecting a new high pressure natural gas Transmission pipe to supply the upgraded plant.
Works will include altering and extending the existing Poolbeg AGI, decommissioning redundant assets and a new analyser building for ensuring the quality and safety of the gas.
The Abbotstown AGI, which will feed this OCGT turbine, has already been upgraded to facilitate the additional capacity required.
This project is currently at design stage and is due to move into construction phase in 2026.
FlexGen & OCGT
Three of the new ESB gas turbines are FlexGen OCGT (Flexible Generation Open Cycle Gas Turbine) and the fourth is an OCGT. Both FlexGen OCGT and OCGT can also be referred to as ‘peaker’ power stations.
Both types of gas turbines are specifically chosen to complement energy being supplied to the electricity grid from renewable sources as they are able to quickly ramp up or down depending on how much power is available from wind and solar at any given time.
They are therefore used to ensure continuity of energy supply to Irish households and businesses in times of peak or fluctuating demand and/or when there is insufficient power being generated by renewables.
Environment and planning
The ESB Corduff Goddamendy Pipeline project was granted a Section 39A Consent (“Consent”) from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on 19 April, 2023.
The construction phase was undertaken in accordance with the conditions of this Consent, including a construction environmental management plan.
Upon completion, the land over which the underground pipeline is constructed was returned to its former state or as otherwise agreed with landowners.
An Environmental Impact Assessment Screening 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
Works on the Abbotstown, Poolbeg and Ringsend FlexGen AGI upgrade projects were not subject to S39A or Planning as they did not involve a new pipeline or expansion of the existing AGI boundaries.
Appropriate Assessment screening was completed and detailed construction environmental management plans were implemented, in particular for the Ringsend and Poolbeg projects given their location next to South Dublin Bay SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and South Dublin Bay and Tolka Estuary SPA (Special Protection Area). As part of Gas Network Ireland’s Sustainability Strategy, new native trees were replanted next to Abbotstown AGI.