Vol. 545 No. 1
131 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received information regarding the adequacy of energy requirements for both domestic and industrial use with particular reference to peak periods; if she will give directions to the relevant authority in this regard; if she expects to receive information from such authority on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29997/01]
As I indicated in previous replies, the Commission for Electricity Regulation, CER, is required, under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, to have regard to the need to ensure that all reasonable demands for electricity by final customers are satisfied and to promote the continuity, security and quality of supplies of electricity.
The CER has informed my Department that it is satisfied there will be adequate capacity for the coming winter period to meet the needs of electricity customers, given the availability of short-term generation. I have been assured that the commission will continue to monitor the situation closely. I am pleased to note that the Generation Adequacy Statement, 2001-2007, published by ESB national grid in May 2001 shows that in the medium term, the commissioning of large scale generation plant projected for 2002 will lead to a significant improvement in the generation adequacy position. In the longer term, assuming a properly functioning market with adequate investor incentives, national grid has stated that there is no reason that generation adequacy should not be maintained within standard from 2003 onwards. It is not my function under the Act to give directions to the CER on the adequacy of power supplies.
With regard to natural gas, Bord Gáis has informed my Department that it is satisfied that there will be adequate capacity for the coming winter period to meet the needs of gas consumers. Bord Gáis is proceeding with its proposal to construct a second interconnector from Scotland which is designed to ensure that there will be adequate capacity to meet the needs of gas consumers in winter 2002 and subsequent years.
