Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 188: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the position regarding the development of north-south and east-west gas or electricity interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13858/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The security of supply of energy is a key policy objective. The relatively small size of our national electricity and gas markets underlines the need for greater interconnection as a means of enhancing security of supply, promoting competition and integrating the Irish electricity and gas markets into the wider European market.

The Government is fully committed to progressing the development of an east-west electricity interconnection as a matter of priority. The Commission for Energy Regulation, at the Department's request, has been engaged in a process of rigorous exploration of the options for such development. The Minister will be bringing the matter to Government very shortly for final decision on the mechanism to secure an east-west interconnection in terms of financing and developer selection, informed by the advice of the CER.

In November 2004, the British and Irish Governments jointly endorsed plans put forward by the CER and the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation for the construction of a second north-south electricity interconnector. Planning for the construction of the interconnector is underway by the transmission system operators and it is estimated that the interconnector will be operational by 2012 at the latest.

The additional east-west and north-south interconnectors will provide enhanced system security and reliability and competition. The north-south interconnector development will also critically underpin the all-island single electricity market.

Our established interconnection with the UK, which encompasses two gas interconnectors, ensures that Ireland has sufficient importation capacity from external sources. A south-north pipeline is also under construction and is scheduled for commissioning in October 2006. The pipeline will extend from Gormanston, County Meath to Belfast.