natural gas is coming to the west

Brochure Inside 2 04/05/2007 14:46 Page 3 natural gas is coming to the west Brochure Inside 2 04/05/2007 14:46 Page 4 introduction The Gasw...
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Brochure Inside 2

04/05/2007

14:46

Page 3

natural gas is coming to the west

Brochure Inside 2

04/05/2007

14:46

Page 4

introduction

The Gaswest project signifies a major

The towns to be connected to natural gas supply are

development for the west of Ireland, making

Athenry, Craughwell, Headford and Tuam in Co. Galway

natural gas available for the first time in many

and Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Claremorris, Crossmolina,

parts of the region. The availability of natural

Knock and Westport in Co. Mayo. These eleven new towns

gas in the area offers both residential and

are all located along the route of the Mayo-Galway natural

commercial customers real choice and allows

gas transmission pipeline that was completed in

them to experience the many benefits of

October 2006.

using natural gas. Bord Gáis Networks is developing a detailed construction programme for the network extensions from the MayoGalway transmission pipeline to these towns and expects to have natural gas in the first of these towns before the end of Westport, Co. Mayo.

2007. The remainder of the towns will receive natural gas during 2008 and 2009.

The scheduled programme for each town from feeder main to distribution main laying varies from six to twelve months. The work associated with the connection of the towns to the natural gas network will overlap.

The Gaswest project is a large development project that will take three years to complete with total capital expenditure in the region of €40m.

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new gas connections policy

The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER)

The New Connections Policy outlined the criteria

approved a new Gas Connections Policy in

under which Bord Gáis Networks could evaluate the

2006, revising the criteria by which gas

suitability of connecting new towns to the gas

network extensions are evaluated.

network. On completion of the study, which evaluated towns in Co. Mayo and Co. Galway, eleven towns that had previously proved unsuitable for a natural gas network extension now qualify under the new policy.

The Mayo-Galway transmission pipeline greatly improved the potential viability of towns along the pipeline route.

Towns that do not meet the current criteria, as outlined by the CER, will be kept under review by Bord Gáis Networks.

A significant increase in natural gas demand from a town, probably resulting from the addition of a new large industrial or commercial user, would be a key factor in determining a town’s suitability in a future review.

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project overview

In 2006 Bord Gáis Networks completed the construction of the high-pressure 149km transmission Mayo-Galway pipeline. The construction of this pipeline facilitates the availability of natural gas and its benefits to many parts of the West of Ireland for the first time.

Feeder and Distribution Mains for Mayo/Galway Towns Connection points from the transmission network have been provided along the pipeline route, with a view

Feeder Main (km)

Distribution Main (km)

Ballina

18.6

13.6

Crossmolina

n/a

1.6

5

15.8

Distribution pipelines will be constructed from these

Claremorris

5.6

6.8

connection points off the feeder main into the

Westport

15.7

8

Athenry

3.8

4

Tuam

12

8.9

Ballyhaunis

9.8

4.7

Knock

9.1

3.7

Craughwell

2.6

1.6

Headford

9.7

2.7

Total (km)

91.9

71.4

Castlebar

to facilitating the supply of natural gas to the eleven new towns.

various towns.

Prior to the commencement of the pipeline extensions into each town, and throughout the duration of the project, Bord Gáis Networks will liaise with all of the relevant authorities and organisations, such as the planning and road offices, local authorities and local businesses and residents adjacent to the pipeline route.

Project Team The project team for this large construction project comprises of: G Project Manager G Contractors G Connection Sales Teams and Advisors G Technical Advisors

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regional map of network

Gaswest Towns COUNTY GALWAY

COUNTY MAYO

G

Athenry

G

Ballina

G

Craughwell

G

Ballyhaunis

G

Headford

G

Castlebar

G

Tuam

G

Claremorris

G

Crossmolina

G

Knock

G

Westport

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benefits of natural gas

natural gas Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly of all fossil fuels and requires minimal processing before use. It is a colourless gas which is lighter than air. Comprising more than 95% pure methane, natural gas emits significantly less carbon dioxide than other fuels; up to 30% less than oil and 50% less than coal for the same energy input.

G Is piped directly to business and homes and is always available. G Remains competitively priced with other fuels. G Has compact and unobtrusive boilers that fit in with kitchen units. G Has appliances that come with many flueing options and are also clean and quiet running. G Is versatile with many uses such as cooking,

Natural gas is the fuel of choice for almost 575,000 homes and businesses throughout the country. It is currently available in over 140 population centres within 18 counties. The demand for natural gas is always growing, for example over the past ten years the number of natural gas users in Ireland has grown by almost 300,000. The popularity of natural gas as a fuel source is due to the many benefits it offers to business and residential customers.

heating and tumble-drying. G Allows developers to make the most of building space. There is no need for large installations which might otherwise occupy valuable landscape or parking space. G Can easily generate a site’s electricity through Combined Heat and Power (CHP). G Means there is no need to worry about on-site storage, circulatory or conditioning systems.

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bord gáis networks

Bord Gáis Networks is a business unit within

Bord Gáis Networks is responsible for connecting all

Bord Gáis which is responsible for the

natural gas customers to the pipeline and connection

construction, operation and maintenance of the

advisors will be available in all towns to advise

natural gas network. We transport natural gas

different parties on the methods of converting to

through the network to homes and business on

natural gas and how to connect to the new natural

behalf of all shippers and suppliers.

gas network. We are also responsible for all gas network safety and maintenance.

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further information is available from: Bord Gáis Networks Telephone: 1850 200 694

Email: [email protected]

www.bordgais.ie/networks