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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 4

Written Answers. - Electricity Supply.

Seán Ryan

Question:

152 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the steps being taken to ensure the security and the adequacy of the electricity supply having regard to serious power collapses in a number of countries; if, in particular, his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by the electricity regulator that proposed limits on environmental emissions could lead to black outs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22057/03]

I am assured by the Commission for Energy Regulation that sufficient measures are being taken to ensure security of electricity supply in this country. Black outs can occur due to network failure or insufficient generating capacity on the system. In the case of the electricity networks, the ESB is currently undertaking a significant investment programme, amounting to some €4 billion up to 2007 to bring the transmission and distribution systems up to the required international standards and to meet projected capacity demand requirements. The ESB advises me that the programme is being delivered within the planned timeframe and budget.

The Commission for Energy Regulation has initiated a number of positive actions to redress the postulated generation capacity shortfalls in the short-term and the medium to longer term, as forecast by the ESB national grid in its most recent generation adequacy report. Measures which have been put in place to meet short-term capacity requirements include the implementation by the ESB national grid of a demand side management programme that will be operational for the coming winter; increased imports of electricity under contract from Northern Ireland which are currently operational, together with the purchase by the ESB of 104MW of additional peaking capacity which is expected to be in use from 1 January 2004.
With regard to the capacity deficit in the medium to longer term, the CER is holding a competition for the award of contracts for up to 531MW to be announced in December next. This will facilitate the entry to the market of additional generation capacity at the earliest date achievable.
The recent statements by the CER, referred to in the question appear to stem from its response to a discussion paper issued by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the subject of a strategy to reduce emissions. These statements are not a forecast of what will happen in practice and should not be cited out of context.
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