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.
In 2025, Gas Networks Ireland completed a project to connect a new power generation customer at Grange Castle Business Park in Co. Dublin. This involved the installation of a new 1.7km Transmission pipeline and modifications to the existing Nangor Road Above Ground Installation (AGI), where the pipeline connected to the national gas network.
This dual fuel fired power plant - often referred to as a ‘peaking’ power plant or ‘peaker’ – is a more flexible type of power generation that supports renewable energy. They can ramp up or down quickly depending on how much renewable power is being supplied to the electricity grid.
They are also able to rapidly switch to gas fuel when there is less wind and solar available, therefore ensuring 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.
Over the coming years, Gas Networks Ireland has been contracted to connect twelve peaking power plants – with four of these now delivered. This programme of work is a key 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.
Project highlights
The Gas to Grange Backup Power project was constructed from February-September 2023 and involved:
- 1.7km of heavy wall Transmission pipeline installed underground
- New pressure reduction skid with heat exchangers, filtering and metering
- New boiler house and boiler fuel gas skid
- Testing and commissioning of new equipment
- Reinstatement works following construction
- Installation of solar panels on the new boiler house and retrofitting an existing boiler house in Nangor AGI with solar panels
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.
Environment and planning
This project was granted a Section 39A Consent (“Consent”) from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) on 16 May 2022. 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
The construction phase was undertaken in accordance with the conditions of this Section 39A Consent, including a construction environmental management plan. Archaeological monitoring was undertaken for groundworks adjacent to the Nangor AGI because of its proximity to Nangor Castle, however no new archaeological remains were found.
Upon completion, the road over which the underground pipeline was constructed was reinstated in accordance with the permissions. The Nangor AGI site will be reinstated in accordance with a detailed landscaping plan that supports local biodiversity.