Edward Nealon
Question:32 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Energy his plans for the allocation of natural gas for electricity generation in the coming years; and whether a long-term contract of supply will be provided to the ESB.
Written Answers. - Natural Gas Supplies.
Dinny McGinley
Question:34 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Energy whether large consumers of gas will have the right to directly conclude their own supply contracts for gas and use the proposed interconnector to the United Kingdom.
Tomás MacGiolla
Question:35 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Energy if it is intended to give the ESB direct access to the proposed natural gas pipeline from Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 34 and 35 together.
The ESB will continue to have a gas burning requirement into the foreseeable future. The use of gas for power generation has become more attractive internationally because of environmental factors and improvements both in the gas supply situation and the combustion efficiency of generation plant. It is my intention that the ESB will continue to receive supplies on the best terms that are available.
Large consumers of gas, notably the ESB and NET, take their supplies on the basis of legal contracts with Bord Gáis Éireann. There is now a developing commercial and residential market for gas, and optimal procurement of supplies and their management is best achieved by the single entity. Accordingly, it is my intention that, Bord Gáis Éireann will retain their role as purchaser of natural gas for all consumers in this country whether that gas comes from indigenous sources or is imported via a gas interconnector.