Michael Ring
Question:93 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to curb the monopoly which the ESB holds. [7582/98]
Written Answers. - Electricity Supply.
The EU directive concerning the Internal Market in electricity came into force on 19 February 1997. Ireland has to implement the directive by February 2000.
It requires that approximately 28 per cent of the Irish electricity market be opened to competition at that time, increasing to about 32 per cent by 2003. This will allow independent electricity generators to contract directly with designated eligible customers for the supply of electricity.
Eligible customers will be those who will be free to "shop around" to choose their electricity supplier in the competitive market. Customers consuming more than 100GWh per year, which represents about 8 per cent of electricty sold, are automatically eligible. The remaining 20 per cent is likely to comprise customers consuming more than 4GWh per year.
The majority of customers, known as the franchise market, will continue to be supplied exclusively by the ESB.