Award-winning year for Coolkeeragh

ESB's Northern Ireland Power Plant receives three International Awards for its Management Systems

During its first year of commercial operation, ESB's Coolkeeragh power plant at Derry has received three international awards for the quality of its management systems. The station's Quality Management Systems have been accredited with ISO 9001:2000 and awarded ISO 14001:2004 certification for its environmental management systems by the International Standards Organisation, NQA.

The Health and Safety Management systems at the station have also received international recognition to OHSAS18001. These awards represent a significant achievement for all those responsible for the operation and maintenance of the power plant.

The Coolkeeragh operations and maintenance team were formally presented with the awards at a ceremony on Thursday 7th September. Guests at the event included representatives from the local authorities and state agencies who have all contributed and participated in the station's success.

In operating to best international standard the station ensures maximum energy efficiency, whilst lowering emissions and minimising any impact on the local environment. Dave Shepherd, Plant Manager for Coolkeeragh, said that the awards are a credit to the Operations and Maintenance team, who during the last 12 months have worked extremely hard to deliver the highest standards in the management of the site.

"Obtaining accreditation to 14001 and 18001 was particularly rewarding as the site has always had a strong culture of health, safety and environment awareness initiated during the plant's construction phase," he said. Michael McNicholas, Executive Director ESBI, said: "Operating the Coolkeeragh plant to best international environmental standard demonstrates the importance and commitment which we have always attached to the care of the local environment. Similarly, the health and safety of our workforce and contractors have always been uppermost in the way in which we operate and maintain the plant. We will continue to operate at these very high standards at Coolkeeragh and to build further on our responsibility to the local environment."

Coolkeeragh ESB is a 400- megawatt gas-fired combined cycle power plant located on the River Foyle, at Maydown. It started commercial operation in June 2005.