Written Answers - Energy Provisions.
Michael Bell
Question:
120
Mr. Bell
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
the current and future plans, if any, her Department has for co-operation with the UK Government for the exchange and provision of natural gas and electricity with particular reference to Northern Ireland; the details of proposals, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[3910/98]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, there is a natural gas interconnector pipeline in operation between Moffat in Scotland and Loughshinny in north County Dublin. The interconnector was constructed by Bord Gáis Éireann to provide for the growing demand for natural gas and to provide security of supply in the event of a disruption in gas supplies from the Kinsale Head-Ballycotton field. This year it is expected that some 50 per cent of our natural gas requirements will be imported through the interconnector. The reserves at Kinsale Head-Ballycotton are depleting and are likely to be exhausted in about five years time.
A bilateral agreement between Ireland and the United Kingdom dated 30 April 1993 facilitates the operation of the interconnector. The agreement provides for a free flow of information between the two Governments about matters relating to the operation of the interconnector and the current and projected utilisation of its capacity.
In accordance with the terms of the bilateral agreement, a connecting sub-sea pipeline to Northern Irealnd from the interconnector has been constructed by the Northern Ireland Authorities to provide natural gas to that area. That pipeline runs from Tynholme in Scotland to Ballylumford, County Antrim.
There is a high degree of cross-Border co-operation on natural gas issues. There are frequent contacts between my Department and the Northern Ireland Department of Economic Development in that regard. For example, a joint North-South study of the feasibility of the provision of a natural gas interconnector between Dublin and Belfast was completed last year. That report showed that a natural gas interconnector is technically feasible and represents the most costeffective means of the potential solutions considered in relation to gas supply issues for both sides of the Border. The estimated cost of the interconnector is £80 million.
A major study of natural gas demand to the year 2025 is currently being carried out by my Department and Bord Gáis Éireann. The purpose of the study is to ensure that all necessary gas infrastructural improvements and additions, both within and to the State, are carried out in good time. The report of the North-South feasibility study is being considered as part of the gas demand study.
The electricity systems on both sides of the Border are interconnected via 275/220kV double circuit line between Dundalk station, County Louth and Tandragee station, County Armagh. This interconnector was out of commission for many years but has become fully operational again since March 1995 following the ceasefire in Northern Ireland.
This interconnector was supplemented in 1991 by the construction of two 110kv standby interconnectors from Letterkenny to Strabane and Swanlinbar to Enniskillen for which EU funding under the INTERREG programme was sought and received. These two interconnectors are used by ESB and Northern Ireland Electricity — NIE — to provide emergency back-up supply to Enniskillen and Letterkenny respectively.
A recent joint ESB-NIE feasibility study on cross-Border interconnection indicated that further interconnectors are dependent on reinforcement of the networks, particularly on NIE's side of the Border. The precise timing of this reinforcement is a matter for NIE but is unlikely to occur until after the year 2000.
ESB and NIE will be undertaking further studies to determine the future optimum and complementary network investments on both sides of the Border so as to maximise the benefits of interconnection. The question of an undersea electricity link with Wales is examined on a regular basis but at the moment it is not an economic proposition. The capital cost is very high and it is much cheaper to build a gas fired generating plant here in Ireland.
