Ivan Yates
Question:115 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposed legislation she will publish in relation to the liberalisation and re-organ isation of the electricity generating market. [19336/99]
Written Answers. - Electricity Generator.
The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, was the first phase in the implementation of Electricity Directive 96/92/EC. This Act provided for implementation of key elements of the new regulatory framework – the establishment of the Commission for Electricity Regulation, the introduction of an independent authorisation and licensing regime for the generation and supply of electricity and the regulation of access to the transmission and distribution systems.
The main provisions to be included in further legislation are: the licensing of an independent transmission system operator; the licensing of ESB's public electricity supply and separate distribution activities; providing for the separation of accounts of electricity undertakings; conversion of the ESB into a public limited company under the Companies Acts. The second Electricity Bill will provide for the additional measures necessary to round off the legislative framework and for the consolidation of the text of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, with the new provisions.
Draft legislative proposals are being finalised by my Department. I intend to make these proposals available to interested parties for consultation before submitting the text to Government. My aim is have the Bill ready for publication as soon as possible next year, after the consultation process is complete.