Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The Government is committed to ensuring that electricity supply consistently meets the needs of Irish consumers and business. My Department liaises closely with the Commission for Energy Regulation, CER, which has key functions in security of electricity supply, and with EirGrid as the independent transmission system operator. Reporting to the CER, EirGrid has responsibility for managing generation adequacy and monitoring generation capacity. EirGrid produces an annual winter outlook report, which provides a rigorous analysis of Ireland's electricity generation capacity to meet expected demand over the peak winter months.

The 2007 winter outlook report was published by EirGrid last August. Based on its analysis and on detailed contact with each of the power generators, EirGrid forecasts that electricity generating capacity will be sufficient to meet demand this winter. EirGrid has indicated that developments related to potential outages could lead to reduced capacity margins at times during the winter peak period. However, it remains EirGrid's assessment that there will be sufficient capacity on the system to ensure security of electricity supply this winter.

The report assumes a peak demand this winter of 5,250 MW. This compares with the peak demand last winter of 5,035 MW. EirGrid calculates that generating capacity of 5,930 MW will be available. This includes the new 400 MW facility at Huntstown, which is now in service. This compares well with a peak generating capacity of 5,836 MW last year. It is also expected that connected wind capacity will reach 900-1,000 MW by year end. This is a significant and welcome increase of more than 25% of installed wind capacity since the start of the year.

As with any power generation system, it is not possible to give definitive guarantees that generation adequacy will always be maintained. By their nature, high-level forced outages on the system cannot be predicted. Plant outage, whether planned or unforeseen, must at all times be critically managed to maintain security of supply. EirGrid operates a range of demand control measures to assist in managing demand at peak times.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

These include reducing demand by agreement with large users in the interests of ensuring domestic customer supply is maintained.

Our generating capacity must ensure an adequate margin between electricity supply and demand. Medium term capacity will be enhanced with the power generation plants under construction as well as the new electricity interconnectors scheduled for 2011, North-South, and 2012, East-West. The provision of new flexible plant and the continued strong growth in wind and other renewable energy is critical in that context. Key imperatives for electricity supply and demand are energy efficiency and a diverse fuel mix. Radically improving energy efficiency and achieving the ambitious renewable energy target set by the Government will significantly enhance security of supply and ensure that demand itself is more sustainable.

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