Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the contingency plans he has put in place if there are power shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2107/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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Security of supply in electricity is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation in accordance with the provisions of article 28 of the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2005. Article 28 provides that it shall be the duty of the Commission to monitor the security of supply of electricity and that the Commission shall take such measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply.

In the performance of its functions the Commission is advised by EirGrid-ESB National Grid as the transmission system operator. The transmission system operator's report on generation adequacy has indicated that while power shortages are not anticipated, the margin between capacity and demand is tighter than normal this winter. The transmission system operator is working with generators to schedule necessary maintenance outages at times when margins are highest. It also expects at times to be able to call on electricity imported from Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom via Northern Ireland to supplement electricity production. Demand-side management measures and incentives are in place, particularly from November to February, to contain the demand for electricity at peak times. Appeals to the public to reduce demand at times of very low margin are a feature of the joint ESB-SEI energy efficiency campaign.

In any emergency the transmission system operator, as part of its licence conditions, has in place a number of specific emergency plans to deal with an incident quickly and effectively. These include power system restoration and capacity shortfall plans, which involve, inter alia, matching supply to demand by load shedding while prioritising supply to critical users such as key telecommunications, security, communications, transportation and medical facilities. Suppliers have also negotiated interruptible contracts with major users who, in response to the price incentive, have organised their demand to be able to withstand interruption without loss of safety or critical functions. Details of these interruption loads are notified to the transmission system operator. Implementation of the plans is at the discretion and under the control of the transmission system operator.