Vol. 521 No. 4
96 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has satisfied herself as to the adequacy of electricity generating capacity; the future plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17621/00]
As outlined in my reply of 16 May 2000 to the Deputy, all current market demands for electricity are being met by the ESB. I also indicated in my previous reply to a parliamentary question on 24 November 1999, and again on 7 December 1999, that the chairman of the ESB has given me a categoric assurance that there will be adequate electricity supplies provided by ESB up to, and including, winter 2000.
Regarding additional power generation, work has been completed on the new gas unit at Poolbeg, which has increased capacity by 160 MW from the end of last year. The new IVO plant at Edenderry will add approximately 120 MW of capacity, and is now due for completion in December 2000, over six months ahead of schedule.
I have recently given approval to ESB for capital expenditure of £20 million in relation to the lease of five 22 MW portable gas turbines in order to provide standby capacity at times of peak demand.
In addition, work is proceeding on plans to upgrade the north-south interconnector from 275 MW to 480 MW approximately, which should be completed around the end of 2001.
As a result of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, introduced by me, approximately 31% of the electricity market is now open to competition. This will rise to 40% in 2002, and to 100% in approximately five years. This means that any interested party can apply to the Commission for Electricity Regulation for the necessary licences and authorisations to build new plant and start supplying eligible customers.
