Bord Gáis last night met with local residents, Community Council members and business representatives from the East Cork area to outline specific details of the construction programme for the €400m Bord Gáis Whitegate Independent Power Plant (WIPP).

Following earlier information sessions during the planning stage, the focus of this information evening was to present further details on the construction programme, health and safety initiatives on site, environmental issues, traffic management and how the WIPP Team aim to continue to inform the community on the development going forward.

Representatives from the GE/GAMA, the consortium contracted to carry out the Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract on behalf of Bord Gáis, were introduced and addressed a number of queries from the residents present.

The project has just commenced with site clearing activities currently taking place. The site is located adjacent to the existing ConocoPhilips refinery at Whitegate. Construction activities are expected to begin in early 2008, with the plant operational by May 2010.

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Speaking about the planned works Tom Daly, Power Plant Manager said: "During the construction programme, we will actively communicate with the community to keep them informed about all issues relating to the project and its impact on the surrounding area. We are working closely with Cork County Council, Gardaí and our industrial neighbours to co-ordinate traffic management plans during a very busy period of development for the Whitegate area over the next three years including, scheduled delivery times, co-ordinated signage and staggered start times. Bord Gáis will make every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum."

David Stanton TD was also present at the meeting and welcomed Bord Gáis to the area and commended the state company on its positive approach and hoped that some of the concerns expressed by the local community regarding the Cork County Council traffic calming measures for the area could be progressed with the assistance of Bord Gáis.

Declan Lynch, Project Engineer on the WIPP Project, added: "Bord Gáis has a policy to always prioritise health, safety and the environment and to be a good neighbour in the local community. To this end, the WIPP Project Team will continue to liaise with all stakeholders on a regular basis, including the Aghada District Community Council, Midleton Town Council and Whitegate National School and to pro-actively address any issues or concerns that are raised."

Bord Gáis entered the electricity market in 2001 and currently holds 8% of the market. The construction of this 445 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power plant is a significant development for Bord Gáis and its implementation of an all-island, dual-fuel strategy, enabling future growth in electricity supply and providing much needed power to meet national demand. The power plant will be designed and constructed by the consortium of GE (General Electric) and Gama Power Systems.

(JM)