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Renewable Energy Exports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2014

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Questions (29)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

29. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has made any further contact with his British counterpart with regard to the export of energy from Ireland to the UK; if he is considering supporting an interconnector between Ireland and France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24722/14]

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Written answers

Following extensive engagement between my Department and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change over a sixteen month period following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Energy Sector in January 2013, it is clear that given the economic, policy and regulatory complexities involved, and the key decisions yet to be taken by the UK, delivery of the envisaged wind energy export project is not now a realistic proposition. I conveyed this view to my British counterpart in April. There is ongoing contact between my Department and the Department of Energy and Climate Change on a range of energy issues, including in the context of the British Irish Council. These contacts will afford both parties to explore longer term trading opportunities that will arise post 2020 in the context of a European Internal Energy Market and the need for greater energy integration. In terms of supporting interconnection, it is EU policy is to encourage greater integration and interconnectivity between Member States. Enhanced security of supply, increased competitiveness, and the ability to integrate greater quantities of variable renewable generation resources are some of the potential benefits of further interconnection between the transmission grids of Ireland, Great Britain and mainland Europe. EirGrid is the Transmission System Operator (TSO) for the electricity transmission system in Ireland. The functions of the TSO include the operation of a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient electricity transmission system, and to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection of its system with other systems, with a view to ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity are met and having due regard for the environment. I understand from EirGrid that a number of studies are exploring different aspects of the feasibility of additional interconnection and these will feed into any decisions on future interconnection investment.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 21.
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