Project Update. Gas to Great Island Power Station

Transcription

1 Project Update Gas to Great Island Power Station

2 Introduction The Transmission System Operator, Gaslink, on behalf of Endesa Ireland Ltd., has requested Bord Gáis Networks to design for a new gas supply to the proposed Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) Electricity Generating Plant at Great Island, County Wexford. This pipeline will comprise of a 46 kilometre spur line from the Cork Dublin Pipeline on the existing gas transmission network in County Kilkenny to a new Above Ground Installation (AGI) at Great Island Power Station in County Wexford with an intermediate AGI located centrally along the route. The aim of this brochure is to provide our stakeholders with an overview of the project, the expected timeframe, the environment and the construction/reinstatement methodologies. The Pipeline Routes The starting point of the proposed natural gas pipeline will be at an existing Bord Gáis Networks facility at Baunlusk approximately 6km south of Kilkenny City. This facility, known as an Above Ground Installation (AGI), is where the pipeline is brought to ground to facilitate operation and maintenance. At the outset, three route corridor options were identified and assessed. Figure 1 illustrates the route corridor options considered. Following in-depth routing studies and environmental investigations, Route Corridor B has been selected as the preferred option and a proposed route has been established within this corridor. Route B begins at Baunlusk AGI and travels southeast, primarily through agricultural land. It crosses the River Barrow Estuary and then runs southeast to the Great Island Power Station. As the route involves crossing the River Barrow, a suitable crossing point has been identified and thoroughly investigated. This will be subject to further investigations and an Environmental Appraisal. Of the three routes considered, Route Option B minimises risk to the environment during the construction phase and also represents the lowest risk option in terms of safety during pipeline construction. The pipeline will be constructed using 400mm diameter high-grade steel pipe, buried to a minimum depth of 1.2m below ground level. The main impact of the proposed pipeline will be during the construction phase; however this will be relatively short term. The only above ground development will occur at the three AGI sites. These will be landscaped to blend in with the surrounding environment. Figure 1. LIMERICK KILKENNY Baunlusk C B A Clonmel Carrick-on-Suir WATERFORD New Ross Great Island CORK Kinsale Head Gas Field ROUTE OPTIONS IDENTIFIED Route B (Preferred Option) Routes A and C Existing Pipelines

3 Consultation and Construction Community and Environment Public Consultation Prior to finalising the routes of any pipeline, Bord Gáis Networks undertakes a public consultation programme. This includes consultation with any stakeholders potentially affected by a pipeline project. In this case, stakeholders include individual landowners, agricultural groups, statutory bodies, environmental organisations, heritage groups and others. Developing and maintaining good relationships are necessary to the success of any Bord Gáis Networks project. Our aim is to be open and transparent in all our communications with the local communities located along the route of a pipeline. We act in a responsible manner and engage with those who may be impacted at each stage of the process so that concerns can be incorporated into our strategy, wherever possible. Bord Gáis Networks is committed to ensuring all works will be undertaken in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, in co-operation with the local community. Public Information Evenings were advertised in local media and held in October 2010 to give all stakeholders the opportunity to examine the route and discuss the scope of the proposed pipeline with the project team. If you require any further information,we have a dedicated Community Liaison Team who will be able to respond to any concerns of the local community. Environmental Protection As with all Bord Gáis Networks pipeline projects, a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment of the construction and maintenance of the pipeline will be carried out by consultants to assess potential impacts of the Great Island project. Any resulting mitigation measures will be implemented as required and every effort will be made to avoid any areas that are of particular environmental interest. Bord Gáis Networks is fully committed to environmental conservation and the protection of Irish heritage. An environmental engineer will be employed to oversee activities during the construction of the pipeline. Archaeology Bord Gáis Networks employs a team of archaeologists as part of all pipeline construction projects. A licensed archaeologist will monitor all topsoil stripping and potential areas of archaeological interest. Construction Activities The construction of the Gas to Great Island Power Station pipeline is expected to commence in Summer The pipeline is scheduled for completion in October 2013 with all major construction activities taking place in the Spring and Summer months. It should be noted that at certain locations along the route of the pipeline, the construction programme will be dictated by the need to minimise the environmental impact. Pipeline construction activities will be carried out by a suitably qualified contractor appointed by Bord Gáis Networks. The latest and least intrusive engineering methods will be used and the pipelines will be built, operated and maintained to the highest national and international safety standards. In general, the pipeline will be constructed using a spread technique. Prior to the commencement of construction, a surveyor will set out the centreline of the pipeline and stock-proof fencing will be erected on either side of the 36 metre working width. The removal of hedges, walls and fences at field boundaries will be kept to a minimum and flume pipes will be inserted in drains/ditches to avoid disrupting the water flow. An archaeologist will supervise topsoil stripping, which will be carried out using tracked machines and bulldozers.

4 Construction and Reinstatement The linepipe required for the pipeline will be stored at intervals along the route before being strung out along the spread. In order to minimise the amount of excavation required, the pipes will be bent or formed to suit the ground profile. The pipe sections will then be clamped together and welded. Once each weld has been radiographed and meets the specified standards, it will be coated with a polyethylene sleeve to prevent corrosion. The pipe sections are then lowered into the pre-excavated trench. The trench is then backfilled to subsoil level reusing the excavated material with compaction taking place at set intervals. Before bringing the pipeline into service, the pipe and components are subjected to rigorous testing in the field. Each stage of the construction process is overseen by qualified inspectors to ensure compliance with the engineering plans, codes, permit conditions, landowner agreements, and regulatory requirements. We would also like to emphasise that safety is our priority at all stages of pipeline construction. The construction process typically involves the following: Pre-Construction Construction Post-Construction - Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) - On-Farm Site Investigations - Liaising with Landowners - Wayleave Acquisitions - Identification of all stakeholders on the project - Communications in the form of meetings, brochures, public information meetings - Statutory Approvals - Fencing Off the Working Width - Top-Soil Stripping - Pipe Preparation - Trenching and Backfilling - Road and River Crossings - Drainage and Reinstatement - Pipeline Safety - Continued Liaison with Landowners and the Community Reinstatement Post construction, Bord Gáis Networks will retain a 14 metre wide permanent wayleave along the route of the pipeline. This will be monitored by regular helicopter fly-overs and occasional foot patrols. All ditch crossings will have a protective slab placed over the pipe. Following completion of the main pipe laying activities, all drains are fully replaced and reinstated. The working width is also fully reinstated, this includes picking stones, levelling the topsoil, spreading, tilling and sowing the topsoil. Once reinstatement is completed there should be little or no evidence to show that the pipeline passed through.

5 Pipeline Statistics Pipeline Length: Pipeline Diameter: 46 km 400mm (16 inch) Construction Timeline: Construction to commence during Summer 2012 Planned completion in October 2013 (Omitting the Winter Season) Pipeline Material: Pipeline Design Pressure: Numbers Employed: Number of Wayleaves Along Route Number of Crossings* 400mm (16 inch) Steel to EN bar G Approximately 150 during peak construction season 140 approximately 50 in Total: 3 national roads or motorway 31 minor roads 3 rail 13 rivers and water courses Land Reinstatement: Scheduled for 2012/2013 (this can be dependent on weather conditions) Organisations Consulted Include: Kilkenny County Council Wexford County Council Environmental Protection Agency Farming Organisations Waterford and New Ross Ports National Parks & Wildlife Service Heritage Council Inland Fisheries Ireland * Based on the preferred route corridor

6 Further Information There is a dedicated phone line and address for queries or comments about the proposed construction works. If the query cannot be answered straight away, then a member of the project team will get back to you as quickly as possible. Bord Gáis Networks is committed to ensuring all works will be undertaken in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, in co-operation with the local community. Our Community Liaison Team are there to respond to any concerns of the local community. Phone: Post: (9am 5pm) greatislandccgt@bge.ie Community Liaison Officer, Gas to Great Island Project, Bord Gáis Networks, Gasworks Road, Cork Website: 100% 25724/9/2011