18th May 2004

O&M team appointed to power plant at Coolkeeragh ESB

The construction of the natural gas combined cycle power plant at Coolkeeragh continues on schedule with the appointment of the operations and maintenance (O&M) team now complete.

This followed a successful recruitment campaign in the local and national press to fill the permanent operational, technical and administrative positions. There are 34 in the O&M team with 90 per cent of them recruited from the local area.

Commenting on the team, Dave O'Dwyer, General Manager, Coolkeeragh ESB said, "The new team, headed by Peter Kane, Plant Manager recently began their tenure with a two day induction off-site before transferring to site, where they are now heavily committed to a demanding training programme designed to prepare them to assume control of the plant next year.

"The O&M team will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the new power station from early 2005. They will work closely with the plant manufacturers General Electric (GE) and VA Tech to ensure the plant is operating as designed."

The O&M team will work in accordance with detailed procedures and using the most advanced form of IT systems to ensure the smooth operation of the plant and to communicate with external agencies such as the electricity grid operator.

Over 600 people are currently working on the construction of the new Coolkeeragh ESB power plant with the majority of workers being drawn from Northern Ireland . Locally based sub-contractors and suppliers have already secured contracts totalling £30 million. In addition the station when fully commercial will help local businesses in the north-west with local supply contracts worth up to £7 million per year.

The combination of natural gas and the new CCGT technology will lead to the production of clean, low cost power, which will contribute in the drive to reduce costs to the customer.

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