Two hundred construction jobs have been created with the commencement of work on a new multi-million pound power plant in Derry.
Evermore Renewable Energy has secured more than £80 million in funding for the wood-fuelled power plant at Lisahally port, the first of its kind on the island of Ireland.
The plant, expected to power 25,000 homes and businesses, should be operating by the summer of 2015.
SDLP MP for Foyle Mark Durkan has welcomed the commencement of the work.
Mr Durkan said the decision by Evermore Renewable Energy to locate the power plant at Lisahally was a “tremendous jobs boost” for the North West.
Mr Durkan added: “The Green Investment Bank has now made its first investment in Northern Ireland and has done so in the North-West. It is good to see a productive project going forward which will add to the renewable energy mix here.
“The fact that the site was chosen to utilise the existing power line from Coolkeeragh once again proves the value to the North-West of the gas fired power station which we insured replaced the old station which was being decommissioned.
“I met with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Green Investment Bank along with Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, just a few months ago and know how excited they were about this project when the original announcements were made.”
Mr Durkan concluded: “Indeed, when the legislation was going through the Commons, I also sought assurances about its availability and accessibility in this region and also for projects which could have cross-border relevance.”
