Bernard J. Durkan
Question:109 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the current position in relation to the provision of adequate electricity supplies to meet market demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13645/00]
Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.
All current market demands for electricity are being met by the ESB. As I indicated in reply to a parliamentary question on 24 November 1999 and again on 7 December 1999, the Chairman of the ESB has given me a categoric assurance that there will be adequate electricity supplies provided by ESB up to and including winter 2000.
Regarding additional power generation, work has recently been completed on the new gas unit at Poolbeg, which has increased capacity by 160MW from the end of last year. The new IVO plant at Edenderry will add 120MW of capacity, and is now due for completion in December 2000, over six months ahead of schedule.
The ESB has also in the past couple of days applied to me for capital expenditure approval for the lease of five 22MW portable gas turbines, at a total cost of £20 million in order to provide standby capacity at times of peak demand.
As a result of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, introduced by me, approximately 31% of the electricity market is now open to competition. This will rise to 40% in 2002, and to 100% in approximately five years. This means that 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.
In view of the very high level of interest shown by prospective entrants to the electricity market, there is good reason to believe that sufficient capacity will be built to meet market demand.