Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 158: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure the availability of quality electricity supply throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36905/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Statutory responsibility for monitoring and ensuring quality of electricity supply rests with the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER). The performance of the electricity networks has significantly improved in recent years. This reflects the considerable investment of approximately €3 billion in both the transmission and distribution networks that has taken place in the period 2001 to 2005, with another €3 billion planned for investment up to 2010. In allowing for capital expenditure in its revenue determination, the CER sets challenging performance standards and monitors performance to ensure that these are achieved.

As distribution system operator, ESB Networks is required by the CER to maintain certain levels of quality of supply and to report annually on the criteria set out by the CER. These service level requirements are reinforced with financial incentives, rewards for achieving better service and penalties for failure. I have been advised by the CER that available data for 2007 shows positive downward trends continuing in the two key metrics for quality of supply, which are Customer Minutes Lost and Verified Voltage complaints. In addition, specific guarantees of quality of service delivery are set out in the Distribution Services Guarantees section of the ESB customer charter.