Vol. 467 No. 4
311 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the way in which he can reconcile the national policy for energy conservation with the policy which permits Bord Gáis to run its gas pipeline system at 70 bars, 1,000 pounds in weight per square inch, thus encouraging increased consumption of a finite resource. [13282/96]
There is no conflict between the policy for energy conservation and the operation of the high pressure gas transmission system by Bord Gáis Éireann. The operation of that system at a pressure of 70 bar minimises the diameter of cross-country pipelines and ensures maximum efficiency of operation of the system. Local gas distribution networks are operated at much lower pressures. Gas consumption levels are determined by demand from consumers and are independent of system pressures.
Our sole indigenous gas reserves at Kinsale Head are declining and the technical advice is that those reserves will be depleted in some five years time. Bord Gáis Éireann has provided a gas interconnector with the UK. There are commercial gas flows being received through the pipeline. It will provide security of supply pending depletion of the Kinsale Head gas field. In addition the interconnector will underpin the further development of the Irish gas industry by being able to provide twice as much gas as Kinsale Head can.
