Vol. 512 No. 3
106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the degree to which she will authorise or direct an increase or enhancement of the national grid electricity supplies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26228/99]
111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the degree to which electricity generating capacity will be increased in each of the next five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26233/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 111 together.
Work is already under way on two electricity stations, which will increase electricity generating capacity over the next few years. The new gas unit at Poolbeg will increase capacity by 160 megawatts, and is due to come onstream by the end of this year. The new IVO plant at Edenderry will add 120 megawatts of capacity, and is now due for completion in December 2000, more than six months ahead of schedule.
From February 2000, 28% of the electricity market will be open to competition, rising to 33% in 2003. Any interested party can apply to the commission for electricity regulation for the necessary licences and authorisations to build new plant and start supplying eligible customers.
I wrote to the chairman of the ESB, following legal advice, on 1 December 1999, setting out the conditions under which I would be prepared to give approval for further capital expenditure by ESB on their planned 400 megawatts gas fired plant at Ringsend.
