Vol. 568 No. 2
75 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the details of his discussions with the authorities in Northern Ireland regarding increasing capacity on the cross-Border interconnector and possibly building a new interconnector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15928/03]
The electricity systems North and South are linked by interconnectors at three points between Tandragee and Louth, Strabane and Letterkenny and Enniskillen and Corraclassy. Following the upgrading that took place during 2001 at the behest of my predecessor and Sir Reg Empey, the main North-South interconnector between Tandragee and Louth now has a capacity to operate 2 x 600 megawatts, MW, of power, which is enough electricity to power several major towns. It previously had half that capacity. The ability to use this capacity to the full in a South-North direction is severely curtailed by grid congestion between Dublin and the Border. The two regulators are, however, optimising what can be achieved. The deficiency will be cured in the context of the ongoing five year grid development programme.
The other two interconnectors were commissioned in 1994 as standby links, primarily to allow the two grid companies to provide mutual assistance in an emergency. Since 2001 they have also been upgraded to full system interconnectors with a capacity to operate at 120 MW each. The upgrading is in line with one of the main recommendations of the 2001 study by IPA Consultants into options for the development of an all-island energy market. The question of increasing capacity on the interconnectors or possibly building a new interconnector forms part of the recently re-launched dialogue between both Administrations on the creation of an all-island energy market.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I expect to meet Mr. Ian Pearson, who currently has responsibility for the energy portfolio in Northern Ireland, in early July with a view to jointly endorsing a specific and time-bound work programme aimed at progressing this important issue.
