Cork chosen by Bord Gáis and Mitsubishi in plans to build Europe's first ammonia plant 

The firms, along with Bord Gáis' parent company have signed a memorandum of understanding for Whitegate 

The Whitegate Oil Refinery, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Scannell

Bord Gáis Energy and Mitsubishi Power are considering plans to build the first ammonia-fuelled electricity generator in Europe, located at the energy company's power station in Whitegate, Co Cork.

The project is being led by Bord Gáis' parent company, Centrica, which also owns British Gas in the UK, with the energy giant saying on Wednesday that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Mitsubishi Power Europe to explore the development of the ammonia-fired plant, of which there is only one other in the world.