TREASURY Minister Lord Deighton has officially opened a £500 million underground gas storage facility.

The opening ceremony at the Storengy facility at King Street, Stublach, saw the Government Minister unveil a plaque to mark the occasion.

“Energy security is central to the Government’s long-term economic plan, and we are focusing on investing in infrastructure to achieve this,” said Lord Deighton.

“Sites like Storengy at Stublach play a crucial role in our energy security strategy, allowing gas suppliers and others the flexibility to store gas safely in preparation for when demand is high, or when other supplies are restricted.”

He said he was delighted to open the site, which he stressed had been constructed to the highest safety and hygiene standards, with no public investment required.

“It demonstrates a vote of confidence in the UK economy by GDF Suez, another example of companies confirming the UK has created the right environment for investment,” he said.

The gas storage facility is between Northwich and Middlewich, represents a £500 million investment by GDF SUEZ subsidiary Storengy, and the opening was attended by Jean-Claude Depail, executive vice-president in charge of the Infrastructures Business Line of GDF SUEZ.

Mr Depail said: “Stublach is the first investment in the UK for our gas storage business, following many years of operation in France and Germany.

“I am delighted the project has just achieved a major milestone, and the first salt caverns are now full of gas and already contributing to the security of supply of natural gas across the UK.”

The Stublach site has so far commissioned two salt caverns, which represent a capacity of 40 million cubic metres now available to the UK gas market.

A further three caverns will be available by the end of next month, bringing capacity to 100 million cubic metres. The site will eventually have up to 20 caverns, with a total capacity of 400 million cubic metres.

Charlotte Roule, Storengy UK managing director, said: “I am immensely proud of the team which has constructed this remarkable facility, safely, and with maximum attention to the local environment and communities.

“Salt caverns are a safe and natural way to store gas, and we have also been able to continue the tradition of extracting salt from this area to create the caverns.

“This has been used in the local chemical industry, helping to support industry in Cheshire.”

Among the guests was Northwich town mayor Clr Alison Gerrard, who judged a Children in Need Pudsey Bear colouring competition.

Rudheath Primary Academy pupils were invited to enter the competition, and the winners will receive prizes of Pudsey teddy bears, badges and wristbands.

Storengy is to donate £100 to the school, £100 to Children in Need and donations for cupcakes on offer at the opening ceremony.

Clr Gerrard said she was impressed by the site and the “massive” investment by the company in the gas storage project.

The facility benefitted the local economy, she added, praising the company for its support for local community projects.