Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the recent EirGrid strategy document entitled Grid 25; his views on EirGrid's description of their mission (details supplied); the person whose mission it is to develop, maintain and operate a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient electricity generating system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35616/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid launched its grid development strategy, Grid25, on 8 October 2008. The Strategy sets out a roadmap for the development of the electricity transmission network for the next seventeen years and aims to double the capacity of the national grid during this period. This increase in capacity is required to meet the projected increase in electricity demand over that period, and to support economic development throughout the regions by making available a secure, reliable, efficient and economical energy supply. The expansion of the grid will also enable the integration of renewable energy, in line with EU renewable energy and climate change targets as well as the Government's recently announced increased target of 40% electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Enhanced interconnectivity with the UK, and in due course with mainland Europe, will also contribute fundamentally to security of supply and Ireland's integration in the European energy Market.

EirGrid's statement of its mission reflects its mandate under statute to carry out the role of the independent electricity transmission system and market operator. EirGrid is funded through electricity use of system charges overseen by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) and its core activities are to develop and maintain the grid infrastructure, to balance supply and demand for electricity on a national basis through the national control centre, and to operate, in conjunction with SONI (the Northern Ireland transmission system operator) the Single Electricity Market. In its role as transmission system and market operator, EirGrid produces an annual Generation Adequacy Report which sets out forecasts for electricity demand over a period of 7 years, and assesses the projected availability of generation and interconnector capacity in place or being developed to meet this demand. The CER also has statutory functions and powers in relation to ensuring security of electricity supply and works with EirGrid and generators to facilitate optimum availability of generating capacity and the operation of the transmission and distribution system.

Working with the CER, EirGrid's approach to the development and operation of the transmission system, is fully in line with the Government's energy policy objectives. The collective task is to ensure sufficient generation and transmission capacity to meet Ireland's present and future energy needs, underpinning our transition to a low-carbon economy, and ensuring security of electricity supply and sustainability competitiveness.