Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 6 December 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection
Water and Energy Connections in Rural Areas: Discussion
Mr. Nicholas Tarrant:
Mr. Rossiter will cover the specifics, if we are in a position today to cover the very specific question about distance to the transformer and the poles. That is covered in our statement on connection charges, which we hope to get to in a second.
The Deputy also mentioned how our costs compare. One of the things done as part of the price review process, and Mr. Gannon outlined this when he talked about PR5, is that our costs, when we submit them in our business plans, are compared with other utilities. Specialist consultants are brought in to review our costs. That is part of the process to oversee us as a natural monopoly to make sure our costs are cost effective.
When it comes to the charging arrangements, the connecting customer does not pay the full economic cost of the connection. Approximately 50% of the cost is borne by the connecting customer and the other 50% is covered across the general customer base. I will ask Mr. Rossiter to cover a couple of the Deputy's specific questions around distance, etc.
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