Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1464: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the progress that has been made to date in the development of a land-bank of ESB owned sites to facilitate independent power generation investment; the results of the launch of the sales process for sites committed for divestment in 2007 under the CER-ESB Asset Strategy Agreement including those at Shannonbridge/Lanesboro and Poolbeg 3; and when he expects independent power generation operators to begin generation at those sites. [2015/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid has been asked to work with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in developing options for a State owned landbank and preliminary analysis is under way.

The process of divestment of ESB sites is a commercial matter for the Board and Management of the ESB in accordance with the terms of the Asset Strategy Agreement with the Commission for Energy Regulation and not one in which I have a direct role. However, I understand that the process has commenced with a request by ESB for the submission of indicative bids. A further short-listing will precede the selection of final preferred bidders. My approval for any disposal of assets will be required. The CER has responsibility for monitoring ESB's compliance with the terms of the Asset Strategy, designed to reduce ESB's market share in power generation to 40% in an all-island context.

Under the Electricity Act, 1999, the CER has statutory responsibility for the issue of licences to generate electricity and authorisations to construct or reconstruct power generation plants. Accordingly, decisions in due course by the ultimate purchasers regarding the commencement of power generation on those sites will be a commercial matter for the entities concerned, subject to CER authorisation and not one in which I have a function.