Released December 10, 2010 | GALWAY, IRELAND
en
Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--Ireland's newest power plant, the gas-fired Whitegate plant in Cork, has been commissioned by state-owned natural gas company Bord Gáis (Cork, Ireland). The plant is Bord Gais's first since the company entered the electricity sector in early 2009. It has a generating capacity of 445 megawatts (MW) and can provide enough power for approximately 445,000 homes, which is more than 25% of all Irish homes.
Construction on the Whitegate power station began in March 2008, and full commissioning was expected earlier this year in July. With an efficiency rating of 58.5%, the plant is one of the most efficient power stations in Europe. Whitegate is designed for dual fuel operation, with natural gas as the primary fuel, supplied via a nearby Bord Gáis pipeline, with distillate fuel oil used as a backup fuel.
"In these changed and difficult times, it is encouraging to see Bord Gáis developing electricity-generating infrastructure in Ireland and building a balanced portfolio of electricity generation across both conventional and renewable technologies to support the delivery of competitive, sustainable energy solutions to its customers," said Micheál Martin, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, launching the Whitegate plant. "Bord Gáis has been to the forefront in developing a role in power generation and supply, in competition with existing players, and I welcome this first major and significant investment by Bord Gáis in the Irish power generation sector."
The project costs more than 400 million euros ($528 million), with 200 million euros of that provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The main contractor was Gama Power Systems Engineering and Contracting Incorporated (Ankara, Turkey), which secured the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the plant in 2007. Last June, Bord Gais awarded the operations and maintenance contract to GE Energy Services, part of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) (Fairfield, Connecticut). For related news, see June 29, 2009, article - Ireland's Bord Gáis Says First CCGT Plant "On Schedule".
"This is one of the most efficient power plants in the world, and it will be providing cheap electricity to Irish customers," said John Mullins, Chief Executive of Bord Gáis. "The completion of the Whitegate power plant is hugely important to us in strategic terms. It provides the backing for our retail electricity business, which continues to grow, following the launch of our 'Big Switch' campaign in February last year."
Since its entry to the electricity sector in February 2009, Bord Gáis has managed to attract 420,000 customers to its new electricity business from state-owned energy company Electricity Supply Board (ESB) (Dublin). In June, the ESB commissioned the 435-MW Aghada gas-fired plant in east Cork. At a cost of 360 million euros ($475 million), the new plant has a claimed efficiency rating of 59%. For related news, see June 1, 2010, article - Ireland Opens Country's Largest Power Plant.
View Plant Profile - 1046293 1069005
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
Construction on the Whitegate power station began in March 2008, and full commissioning was expected earlier this year in July. With an efficiency rating of 58.5%, the plant is one of the most efficient power stations in Europe. Whitegate is designed for dual fuel operation, with natural gas as the primary fuel, supplied via a nearby Bord Gáis pipeline, with distillate fuel oil used as a backup fuel.
"In these changed and difficult times, it is encouraging to see Bord Gáis developing electricity-generating infrastructure in Ireland and building a balanced portfolio of electricity generation across both conventional and renewable technologies to support the delivery of competitive, sustainable energy solutions to its customers," said Micheál Martin, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, launching the Whitegate plant. "Bord Gáis has been to the forefront in developing a role in power generation and supply, in competition with existing players, and I welcome this first major and significant investment by Bord Gáis in the Irish power generation sector."
The project costs more than 400 million euros ($528 million), with 200 million euros of that provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The main contractor was Gama Power Systems Engineering and Contracting Incorporated (Ankara, Turkey), which secured the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the plant in 2007. Last June, Bord Gais awarded the operations and maintenance contract to GE Energy Services, part of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) (Fairfield, Connecticut). For related news, see June 29, 2009, article - Ireland's Bord Gáis Says First CCGT Plant "On Schedule".
"This is one of the most efficient power plants in the world, and it will be providing cheap electricity to Irish customers," said John Mullins, Chief Executive of Bord Gáis. "The completion of the Whitegate power plant is hugely important to us in strategic terms. It provides the backing for our retail electricity business, which continues to grow, following the launch of our 'Big Switch' campaign in February last year."
Since its entry to the electricity sector in February 2009, Bord Gáis has managed to attract 420,000 customers to its new electricity business from state-owned energy company Electricity Supply Board (ESB) (Dublin). In June, the ESB commissioned the 435-MW Aghada gas-fired plant in east Cork. At a cost of 360 million euros ($475 million), the new plant has a claimed efficiency rating of 59%. For related news, see June 1, 2010, article - Ireland Opens Country's Largest Power Plant.
View Plant Profile - 1046293 1069005
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. IIR's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.
