Dr. Liam Ryan:

Regarding interconnection, there is a need for a significant amount of such interconnection between Ireland and neighbouring countries. I refer to France in particular, where we have the Celtic interconnector, which is progressing and doing so at speed. We see the need for additional interconnection between Ireland and France. We have engaged with the system operator in Spain and had discussions in the context of the Spanish interconnector in relation to connecting to that system. That work is at a very early stage. We are also looking at further interconnection between Ireland and Great Britain. I look as well to my colleagues in mainland Europe, the other TSOs and, as I said, EirGrid, which is part of the ENTSO-E group. We then look at Europe connecting to Great Britain so we can use that interconnection to transport energy and use that energy more effectively and efficiently.

Knowing the scale of what we have, then, more interconnection is definitely needed. This is for two reasons. The first is to give us additional security concerning the energy we need. The second is to be able to export the energy we will have when it is available. Part of this context is also linked to the fact that we need to be very active on the European front to ensure the European market is evolving appropriately to ensure that energy can be exported off the island and used when we have a surplus here.