Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2015
933. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if Ireland is implementing the new European electrical grid codes, 2015 to 2018, differently from other European Union Member States; if he will provide a rationale for that difference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11197/15]
View answerThe internal energy market is a key policy goal for the European Union and its Member States. The delivery of the internal energy market is crucial to achieving the key goals of energy policy - energy security, competitiveness and environmental sustainability. The methodology for harmonisation and integration of cross border electricity markets is set out in the 2009 "Third Energy Package" - a package of EU Regulations and Directives. Significant progress with the implementation of the package has been achieved. Some of the detailed rules are still being developed and negotiated through the development of network codes and guidelines, particularly with regard to the European electricity markets.
Ireland is not implementing the codes and guidelines differently from other Member States. The network codes and guidelines, once agreed by Member States and the European Commission, will become legally binding European Regulations.
There are significant differences between the all-island wholesale electricity market and other European wholesale markets. Consequently, Ireland and Northern Ireland have secured an extension to the deadline for the implementation of one of the guidelines, the Capacity Allocation and Congestion Management (CACM) Guideline. Ireland must be compliant with all aspects of CACM by 31 December 2017, whereas other Member States will introduce the provisions of this guideline after it comes into force, expected later in 2015.
