Dr. Liam Ryan:

Yes. I agree that we need to maximise the penetration to the distribution system. If we can meet the required local demand by having local microgeneration it should mean that we could invest less in the transmission system. There is, however, a counter to that. We also need to invest in the local storage. Electricity is a perishable commodity and if we do not have a way of storing or keeping it locally at times when wind or renewables are not generating energy, we need to be able to get the power to communities and local areas. The overall transmission grid will definitely need to change and evolve. EirGrid is looking at what is the right solution and is investigating various scenarios. I will hand over to my colleagues from the ESB in order that they might discuss the distribution side, but, from an EirGrid perspective, there are major benefits in having that local distribution.