Bord Gáis plans pipeline

BORD GÁIS is to build a multi-million euro pipeline from south Tipperary to east Cork to increase supply in the region.

The company has submitted plans for the project to the Commission for Energy Regulation and the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Bord Gáis spokeswoman Elaine Hattie said it was proposed that the spur line would run off the main Cork-Dublin pipeline at Curraleigh West, near the Tipperary village of Ballyporeen and travel more than 40km south to Midleton.

Ms Hattie said Bord Gáis was seeking permission for the project because of the current demand in the Cork region and the expectation of generating even more business there in the future.

“The demand for gas is growing all the time,” Ms Hattie said, pointing out that in the first instance the pipeline would be used to service industrial customers and later domestic users.

The extra capacity provided by the spur line to Midleton may be hooked up to the network running towards Cork city and even as far west as Bandon.

Bord Gáis’s plans for the pipeline to Midleton could be good news for people building houses in that area.

Thousands of homes are being built along the railway corridor at Midleton and Carrigtwohill.

Local TD David Stanton said that proving increased gas capacity would make the east Cork area even more attractive for industry.

“The IDA has been marketing the area very well and the industrial estates in Little Island and Carrigtwohill are very successful. Having an even greater source of power will make it an even more tempting prospect for industrialists,” Mr Stanton said.

He added, however, that he hoped more gas would become available in the Youghal area as well.

“Youghal is the one place in east Cork which hasn’t been doing well recently. The town has lost a lot of jobs in the past few years and we have to do everything we can to attract new industries there.”