My Department is at present considering the ESB's proposal for a new generating plant in the mid 1990's. No decision has been taken in this regard, however.
The price of gas to the ESB and NET, and the contract quantities involved, are the subject of commercial contracts with BGE, and the Deputy will understand that the details of those contracts are confidential. No additional quantities of gas have been contracted by ESB in respect of the proposed plant, which would, I understand, burn either oil or gas.
With regard to the price of gas to the domestic customer I would refer the Deputy to the tariffs laid out in the annual report of Bord Gáis Éireann which is laid before the Oireachtas each year. BGE operates a standard tariff for Industrial/Commercial customers (copy herewith) which, I understand, will shortly be revised. Bulk users of gas, i.e. with loads in excess of .25 m therms per annum, would generally contract with BGE for a supply of gas on conditions suitable to their requirements. Such contracts are, again, confidential.
As to the projected totals for each market sector, should the ESB proposal come to fruition, it is impossible to speculate in advance of a decision to proceed on the volumes that might be required in a dual-fired plant of that nature. I can assure the Deputy however that there will be no effect on existing volumes to industrial, commercial or domestic users, or to NET, arising from a decision to proceed.
