Vol. 480 No. 7
35 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will give a timescale for the start of construction through to commissioning of the new peat burning power station in the midlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14931/97]
69 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when the competition to chose the developer of the new Euro Peat 1 power plant will be concluded; when an announcement will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15224/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 69 together.
In the interests of transparency, all aspects of the competition for the new peat fired power station are being handled by independent consultants. I understand that the five bidders in the peat station competition are presently preparing their bids which have to be submitted to the independent consultants.
I expect that the independent consultants' evaluation of those bids will be completed, and the winner identified by the independent consultants, early in the new year.
The next steps will be finalisation of contract details and obtaining planning permission and the environmental permits necessary for the project. On that basis, construction of the new station is expected to begin early in 1999.
The bidders have been advised that the station should be ready for commissioning by 31 December 2001.
As I am very much aware of the importance of this project to Bord na Móna and the midlands, I will continue to monitor its overall progress.
