Bord Gáis met with the 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.

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

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 coordinate traffic management plans during a very busy period of development for the Whitegate area over the next three years including, scheduled delivery times, coordinated signage and staggered start times.

"Bord Gáis will make every effort to keep any disruption to a minimum."

Bord Gáis entered the electricity market in 2001 and currently holds 8% of the market. The construction of this 445MW 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.

Further information is available on the project website: www.bordgais.ie/powergeneration.

(JM)