Vol. 455 No. 8
401 Mr. B. Ahern asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will confirm the flows of gas which are expected in either direction from the interconnector with Scotland and the purposes therefor, especially in view of the fact that there are gas supplies from Kinsale and related fields. [13283/95]
The Ireland/UK natural gas interconnector built by BGE is designed to provide gas supplies when the Kinsale Head/Ballycotton gas fields are depleted, which is expected to occur in the next five years or so, and to provide an alternative supply in the event of any disruption of that source prior to depletion. All the onshore and undersea pipeline elements of the project have been completed, while the compressor station in Scotland is expected to be completed shortly.
BGE has informed me that it is negotiating for the import of gas from the UK through the interconnector on behalf of a third party. In addition BGE will import gas from the UK to meet other market requirements which cannot be met by Kinsale Head/Ballycotton fields.
From October, 1996 BGE will start to import gas to meet peak winter requirements for the domestic, commercial and industrial markets. Since December 1993 small volumes of gas have been transported through the pipeline. In addition, the pipeline has provided security of supply facilities to protect BGE's core market of 240,000 customers should there be an interruption in supplies of gas from the Kinsale Head/Ballycotton fields.
