Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
209. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the details of Irish energy interconnection for the supply of energy that is, gas, electricity, oil and so on; and the way that the capacity for delivery compares to average daily usage in each case. [23284/22]
View answerIn relation to natural gas around three-quarters is imported from the UK with the remainder being provided by Corrib. The capacity of the gas interconnectors with the UK is sufficient to meet all our current gas demand, should that be required, for example if maintenance works are taking place at Corrib. In relation to electricity, EirGrid’s Generation Capacity Statement (2021-2030), sets out that the east-west interconnector, has a power rating of 500 MW and that the capacity resilience of the existing north-south interconnector is 100 MW (North to South) and 200 MW (South to North). The new North South Interconnector will allow for the flow of 900 MW electricity between Ireland and Northern Ireland and will enhance the operation of the all-island single electricity market, increase security of supply, and facilitate higher levels of renewable electricity. Projects for additional future interconnection include the 500MW Greenlink Interconnector between Wexford and South Wales, and the 700MW Celtic Interconnector between East Cork and Brittany, France.
Oil is a fully liberalised market and there is no direct oil interconnector between Ireland and another country.
