Council to engage on North’s gas project

Seamus Enright

The possibility of linking West Cavan to Fermanagh’s gas expansion project is set to be explored.

Northern Ireland’s ‘Gas to the West’ will connect businesses as close as Derrylin to a natural gas network, and Cavan councillors are eager to see if West Cavan can benefit from a link-up. It was mooted at the last meeting of elected members, however it was also noted that it would be challenging given the impasse experienced in bringing a gasline from Cootehill to Cavan Town.
The council will contact politicians in the North and SGN Natural Gas, which is responsible for constructing the ‘Gas to the West’ pipelines, on bringing the line further.
West Cavan councillor, John Paul Feeley, who tabled the motion, pointed out the “huge boost” it would provide businesses in the region.
Currently the ‘Gas to the West’ pipeline is the primary driver behind a near £50 million investment promised by former Quinn Glass owners, Vidrala, over the next four years. The move will see a major upgrading of the plant situated between Derrylin and Ballyconnell, and the rebuilding of furnaces to accept natural gas which will be piped to Derrylin through the new connection initiative.
 

Energy

“It’s worth a look,” said Cllr Feeley, who addressed the need for strong cross-border cooperation. “If you look at Bord Gais it would be a long time coming [to West Cavan] seeing as we haven’t even got [a natural gas connection] to Cavan Town yet.”
Both Cllr Feeley and Director of Services Eoin Doyle acknowledged the looming threat of Brexit, but both stated that while the path for discussion was open, a future connection could be explored in the context of an all-island energy network. Mr Doyle committed that he would task the Local Enterprise Office with examining a future proposal, and that they would now look to engage with the relevant northern bodies and operators.
The £250 million energy ‘Gas to the West’ infrastructure project, which will receive up to £32 million from the North’s Executive, will include a 78km high pressure pipeline between Portadown and Fivemiletown.