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

Question 438: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent of electricity imported and exported through the interconnectors on an annual basis in each of the past five years to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35871/09]

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

Question 439: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the extent and capacity of the North-South and east-west electricity interconnectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35872/09]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.

The figures for electricity imported and exported through the existing North-South electricity interconnector on an annual basis in each of the past five years is set out in the following table:

The East West Interconnector which is proceeding to schedule, will connect the electricity system of Ireland and Britain. The East-West Interconnector, which will be approximately 260 km long, can carry 500 megawatts of electricity – the equivalent of supplying power to approximately 300,000 homes. This capacity approximates to 10 per cent of peak daily electricity demand in winter in Ireland. The total length of the additional North South Interconnector which is being progressed is approximately 135km and the maximum capacity is 1500 megawatts.

Interconnection will help reduce our dependence on electricity generated from imported natural gas and will enhance our security of supply by linking the all-island electricity market with the UK, which is in turn connected to mainland European markets. In this way, it will also support further competition in the electricity market which will directly benefit consumers and industry. It will also underpin the delivery of Ireland's renewable energy targets by providing additional back-up at times of low wind and enabling the export of wind energy from Ireland at times of high wind generation.