James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the total consumption of electricity in 2007, 2008 and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19779/10]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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EirGrid, plc is the Irish transmission system operator and has a statutory responsibility for forecasting and reporting on supply and demand in the Irish electricity system. EirGrid has provided the following data in relation to the total consumption of electricity in Ireland:

2007: 28,336.4 GWh (based on 52 weeks)

2008: 29,357.1 GWh (based on 53 weeks)

2009: 27,319.3 GWh (based on 52 weeks)

These figures are given as Giga Watt Hours.

EirGrid also publishes an annual Generation Adequacy Report, which sets out estimates of the demand for electricity in the following 7-year period, the likely production capacity that will be in place to meet this demand, and assesses the consequences in terms of the overall supply/demand balance. In its most recent Generation Adequacy Report for the period 2010 to 2016, EirGrid highlighted that the change in the economic climate since 2008 has been reflected in a reduction in electricity demand. It also noted that this reduction in demand, coupled with the connection of new generation, improved generator availability, and increased interconnection, means that there is adequate capacity to meet demand in accordance with system standards over the next seven years.