Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 8

Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.

Brendan Daly

Ceist:

88 Mr. Daly asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if there is sufficient demand for electricity to proceed with the construction of the fourth phase development at Moneypoint power station, County Clare; and the reason this option is not being taken in view of the comparative price advantage of the generation of electricity at Moneypoint. [19260/97]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

There is significant growth in demand for electricity in Ireland. At present phases two and three of the Poolbeg power station are being completed and a competition is in progress for a peat fired station in the east midlands.

The means of providing new capacity for the system is part of the review being undertaken by my Department on the electricity industry on foot of the recent EU Electricity Directive. A fourth unit at Moneypoint is one of a number of options for new capacity.