asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state:—(1) what is the normal output of Ardnacrusha per annum in million units of electricity; (2) what it is estimated will be the normal output per annum in million units of electricity of (a) Poulaphouca (when completed), (b) the proposed Clonsast scheme: (3) what it is estimated would be the output per annum in million units of electricity of (a) the Pigeon House (working to capacity), (b) the proposed Erne scheme if worked on the larger plan with the co-operation of the Northern Ireland Government, (c) the proposed Erne scheme if worked without the co-operation of the Northern Ireland Government; (4) what is the estimated number of units required on the Electricity Supply Board undertaking for the years 1940, 1941, 1942; (5) what is the estimated peak load in regard to each of the above undertakings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Output of Electric Current.
1. The output of Ardnacrusha per annum is dependent on water conditions throughout the year. These may and often do vary within very wide limits from year to year, and even as between corresponding months in different years. The possible output, however, in any one year from the existing plant is largely determined by the relationship which exists between the electrical demand over the summer months of that year and the inflow into the Shannon in the same period. Bearing in mind these extremely variable conditions, the output of Ardnacrusha for a dry year may be estimated at 110,000,000 units; for an average year at 250,000,000 units; and for a wet year at 360,000,000 units. The position is best exemplified by actual experience over the past ten years. The 12 months' period which ended 31st March, 1934, was a particularly dry one, and the inflow to the Shannon lakes during it was accordingly limited, so that the total number of units generated in Ardnacrusha during the 12 months in question was 103,223,750 units of which 101,473,000 units were available for distribution.
For the years 1936 and 1937 the inflow conditions most nearly approached the average for the 46 years 1893-1938 inclusive. Accordingly for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1937, 246,398,100 units were generated at Ardnacrusha, of which 244,502,000 were available for distribution; while for the period 12 months ended 31st March, 1938, 239,202,800 units were generated of which 236,998,000 were delivered to the distribution network. The rainfall conditions for the 12 months ended 31st March, 1939, were, with the possible exception of 1931, the most favourable experienced over the past ten years, and this position was reflected in that the total number of units generated at Ardnacrusha over the period was 286,483,600 of which 284,284,000 were available for distribution. On the other hand during the operating year which ended 31st March, 1940, the conditions were less favourable than they had been in the preceding four years, so that the number of units generated at Ardnacrusha fell to 210,248,900 units of which 208,023,000 were available for distribution.
2. (a). The estimated output of the Liffey will be 30,000,000 units, and (b) the estimated output of the proposed generating station at Clonsast will be 90,000,000 units.
3. (a). As the function of the Pigeon House station is mainly a stand-by and peak load station the estimated output in millions of units could not readily be given, having regard to the continuous fluctuations in the demand. The output of the Pigeon House station in any year depends on the water conditions at the Ardnacrusha station, and on the total load oh the system.
The installed plant capacity is 95,000 kw., but the station would never be called upon to give an output corresponding to this capacity continuously.
3. (b) and (c). In regard to the Erne scheme it is not possible at this stage to give figures as to the estimated output other than the tentative figures of from 160,000,000 to 200,000,000 units which I quoted on the Second Reading of the Electricity (Supply) (Amendment) Bill at present before the House.
4. The total number of units generated for the year ended 31st March, 1940, was 406,998,700 units. It is estimated that the total number of units to be generated in the year ending 31st March, 1941, will amount to 437,000,000 units and in the year ending 31st March, 1942, 467,000,000.
5. It is not understood what this part of the question means. For the information of the Deputy it can be stated that the peak load taken at Ardnacrusha in the year ended 31st March, 1939, was 79,900 kw. on the 21st February, 1939, and in the same year the peak load taken at the Pigeon House was 48,000 kw. on the 19th May, 1938. In the year ended 31st March, 1940, the peak load taken at Ardnacrusha was 83,000 kw. on the 22nd December, 1939, and 63,500 kw. was the peak load taken at the Pigeon House in the same year on the 23rd January, 1940. It will, moreover, be seen from the Electricity Supply Board's published reports that at the Ardnacrusha generating, station, the total capacity at the generator terminals is 93,500 kw. at 30 metres head and 77,500 kw. at 25.5 metres head. The installed capacity at the Pigeon House is 95,000 kw. and the installed capacity to be provided at Poulaphouca and Portarlington will be 34,000 kw. and 20,000 kw. respectively.