Written Answers. - Electricity Generation.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:
65
Mr. Cosgrave
asked the
Minister for Public Enterprise
if she will guarantee that electricity sourced by the North-South and cross channel interconnectors is not from nuclear generating stations; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[29760/01]
As I have indicated in previous replies to parliamentary questions on this topic, the Government remains firmly committed to an anti-nuclear policy.
Ireland retains the right to determine the fuel used in any generating station that is established in Ireland. The position under the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999, introduced by me, is that nuclear power cannot be used for the production of electricity in Ireland.
Under the provisions of the EU Electricity Directive 96/92/EC relating to third party access to networks, eligible customers are entitled, if the necessary interconnection capacity exists, to contract directly with generators or other suppliers abroad for electricity. Up to now, Ireland's only interconnection has been with Northern Ireland, which does not have nuclear power.
I understand that the Moyle interconnector between Northern Ireland and Scotland is expected to commence operation in early 2002. This means that electricity may be imported over that interconnector into the Northern Irish grid and then into the grid in the Republic. It should be noted that in the UK, as elsewhere, electricity is generated from a variety of sources and once electricity enters the grid it is not possible to identify its fuel source.
It seems reasonable to expect that the known position of the Government, and I believe of all the major political parties, as well as clear public opinion would strongly discourage eligible customers from knowingly contracting for electricity imports clearly traceable to nuclear stations.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 59.
