Gas spur to New Ross town ‘agreed in principle’

THE Commissioner for Energy Regulation has agreed in principle to the project proceedingGas Networks Ireland is currently working with several identified businesses in New Ross to secure the required anchor loads for the viability of the project which will see a gas spur pipeline extend from Great Island power plant in Campile in to New Ross.

District Manager Sinead Casey said: ‘ The next step will be detailed design of the scheme once the base anchor loadings are secured.’

Speaking after the meeting Ms Casey said: ‘ This is significant progress. It could take six months or a year for the companies to work with their banks to get this over the line.’

She said a preferred route for the gas spur has been agreed. ‘Initially the gas will be commercial. Gas Networks Ireland have to be cognizant of the quantity of supply because it’s a finite supply to get the optimum efficiency.’

Cllr Michael Sheehan congratulated New Ross & District Chamber of Commerce, Bord Gas Eireann, the council officials involved and Ernest Levingstone for his part in securing the deal, after a long fought battle. ‘I think this is a huge red letter day for the town to have agreement in principle because any industry looking to locate to the area is looking for two things: continuity of energy supply and a high degree of fibre optic broadband capabilities. This has been tried many times but now finally we have got it over the line.’