Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the projected amount and monetary value of electricity that is expected to be exported over the proposed east-west interconnector in the first ten years by way of its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32910/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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The East West Interconnector will be operational by 2012 and will have a capacity of 500MW. The interconnector will, as a national strategic asset, remain in public ownership and will be owned and operated by EirGrid. The advantages that the development of the East West Interconnector will bring include, improved security of supply; increased competition in the single electricity market; and environmental benefits including:

The increased ability to accommodate wind generated energy and the potential to export surplus wind-generated electricity.

Assisting in achieving our ambitious renewable targets.

The reduction in the need for a carrying reserve. This reserve, which is a back-up for times of low wind generation, would otherwise need to be provided from fossil fuel plants, which would be at a higher cost than can be provided by the interconnector, and

The reduction in expected carbon credit payments.

It is anticipated that the initial flows from the interconnector will be predominantly from the UK to Ireland. However, this has the potential to change as the share of renewable electricity on our grid increases. EirGrid will shortly publish their Grid Development Strategy to 2025, which will outline the various strategic options for the development of Irish electricity networks out to 2025. I understand that this will look at various alternative dispatch scenarios, including those with high wind penetration and high export potential.

The East West Interconnector will play a critical role in these scenarios. However, it would be premature to provide estimates at this early stage as to the amount of electricity that may be exported in the first ten years of the interconnector's operation or the value of such exports.