Vol. 496 No. 3
137 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the areas in which she expects competition to emerge in regard to the generation and distribution of electricity in the next few years; the proposals she has in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22880/98]
As required by the EU directive, 28 per cent of the electricity market, comprising the biggest users of electricity in the State, will be opened to competition in 2000, and this figure will rise to 32 per cent by 2003.
I will shortly be introducing legislation to this House to establish the Commission for Electricity Regulation, which will be the first phase of the implementation of the EU directive on the introduction of competition in the electricity market.
The Commission will be given the power to authorise the construction of generating stations and to grant licences to generate and supply electricity to that open market. It is my intention that the commission will be established in the new year.
It is also my intention that the Bill currently being drafted will include a provision entitling electricity consumers to purchase electricity which is produced using a renewable or alternative form of energy as its primary source.
I envisage that this provision will be brought into effect once the detailed practical arrangements, including trading arrangements, for the opening of the market in accordance with the EU electricity directive, have been developed and implemented.
