Roger T. Garland
Ceist:56 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Energy if the proposed interconnector will be used to import nuclear-generated power from Britain and France; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Proposed Electricity Interconnector Project.
Roger T. Garland
Ceist:57 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for Energy the extent to which the proposed interconnector will facilitate the export of Irish wind-generated power to Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 56 and 57 together.
The ESB is conducting a feasibility study in relation to electricity interconnection with the UK and it is to early at this stage of the interconnector project to consider details of particular contracts for the export or import of electricity.
In the first case of imports the competitive electricity market in the UK permits large customers, such as ESB, to choose the electricity company or plant from which they will purchase electrical power. This means that there is no requirement to purchase nuclear generated electricity.
If it proves desirable in the future to export Irish electricity, wind generated or otherwise, the provision of an interconnector would facilitate such a transfer of electrical power. As I have indicated it would be premature to be more definitive about the exact operational details of a possible interconnector at this stage.