Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the reason Eirgrid's East West Interconnector's commercial operation was delayed from September to 21 December, when it operated at half capacity; the nature of the works which will shut it down during February and March; and if he will confirm that the project has been implemented as designed. [4876/13]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The commercial and technical operations of the east-west interconnector are an operational matter for EirGrid, which is a commercial State company. I have no role or function in that regard. EirGrid is the independent statutory body responsible for the development and maintenance of the national electricity transmission system. As with any major complex project using purpose-built technology, the east-west interconnector requires comprehensive testing. Tests during autumn 2012 highlighted certain issues relating to localised incidents of noise interference with telephone lines. I understand from EirGrid that the company and its contractor co-operated with telecommunications network providers to address the reported telephone noise interference. The commencement of commercial trading over the interconnector was deferred until such time as the localised issues were resolved. I emphasise that the issue relates to noise on some telephone lines in the vicinity of the interconnector and is not a health concern. Testing has confirmed that the interconnector is operating well within international standards on electric and magnetic fields.

EirGrid has confirmed that the interconnector has been running continuously since 1 December 2012 following testing in an interim mode during November 2012. Commercial trading and energy flows have been taking place since 21 December 2012 at a capacity of approximately 250 megawatts. The development of a permanent solution by the contractor to allow the interconnector to operate at full capacity in its intended mode is under way and is expected to be implemented shortly. An outage may be required to implement the permanent solution.

The east-west interconnector is a strategically vital energy project for the island of Ireland and is financially supported under the European Energy Programme for Recovery. The interconnector has enhanced the security of the national energy supply and will increase energy market competition and facilitate the progressive development of renewable energy.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In effect, the Minister is trying to say that any problems there might be are for the company, not for him. He then goes on to minimise the scale of the problems as they exist. Contrary to the assertions in the Minister's answer, the east-west interconnector was commercially inoperable for three months after its official launch. Since December, it has operated at approximately half its capacity. In one of many similar instances, it fluctuated last night for approximately nine hours. For a significant period of that nine hours, it was not operating at all.

The primary cause of these issues is magnetic field emissions from the interconnector, which are causing harmonic interactions with local telecommunications. I have still not got an answer to the question I am asking the Minister. EirGrid made a submission in its environmental report in which it claimed that high-voltage direct current convertors create harmonics which can cause disruptions in telecommunications systems. We know such disruptions have occurred. EirGrid stated that specially designed DC filters are used to reduce and prevent disturbances. I understand that a decision was made to omit these specially designed harmonic filters from the interconnector and that this is the cause of the problem. I ask the Minister to confirm that and to tell the House who made the decision to omit the filters and when they did so.

It is not the case that there may be outages. EirGrid has advertised that between February and March the operation will be shut down for six weeks for works. Can the Minister confirm that the works are to install the harmonic filters?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that the system will be shut down for two to three weeks to enable whatever technical remedial works are necessary to allow the interconnector to function as intended. I can assure the Deputy that I was not trying to say anything. Whatever I wanted to say, I said. I am not trying to say anything and I am not trying to conceal anything. There is nothing unusual about a complex technical project such as this requiring occasional maintenance for as long as it is operational. The company responsible for entering into the contract with the companies that installed the system is engaged in discussions with them. It is a contractual matter for EirGrid. EirGrid has worked very well and co-operatively with Eircom on the localised interference with a small number of telephones. It is a purely technical issue. Whether it is a question of the installation of filters or something else, work has already been done to allow the interconnector to function at 250 megawatts. The remaining remedial work will be done during the two- to three-week closure I have referred to. After that, it will be a matter for EirGrid to rely on its contractual rights in raising the issues referred to by Deputy Clare Daly with the company or companies that actually did the installation work.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That was an absolutely shocking reply. We are discussing a situation in which the interconnector will be shut down for four to six weeks. It is wrong to claim that this is a question of a few technical matters. We are discussing the fact that a multi-million-euro project has been delayed for six months to date, yet the Minister expects us to believe it is a only a matter of the usual technical issues.

Works on the interconnector are not complete. Compensation and bonuses were supposed to be paid. Can the Minister confirm whether that has happened? Can he answer the question I asked? If EirGrid, for which the Minister is responsible, carried out the construction in the manner for which it sought permission and installed harmonic filters to minimise disruption, why do we have a disruption to telecommunications? Is this the subject of the works that are being carried out?

If the Minister does not know the answer, does he not think he might want to find out given the very valid health concerns raised by residents along the way?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have some difficulty in understanding Deputy Daly's indignation about it being shut down for a period. She tried to shut it down altogether and organised and motivated people to go to the High Court to do precisely that.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

They decided that themselves.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

She opposed it from day one and now she professes to be indignant about necessary engineering works to be carried out for a period of between two to three weeks as I am advised.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Look at their website.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

EirGrid contracted professional companies to do the job to the highest specification and will ensure that the project is completed to the highest specification. I have no doubt that this will be the case and I have every confidence in the technical and other competence of EirGrid to ensure that it is done to the highest specification.