Written answers

Thursday, 21 April 2011

Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

Electricity Transmission Network

5:00 pm

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the progress of the east-west electricity interconnector and the impact this will have in coming years on Ireland's imports and exports of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8855/11]

Photo of Pat RabbittePat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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At the Government's request, EirGrid the State owned transmission system operator is building the East West Interconnector between the electricity grids of Ireland and Britain. The construction and operation of the East West Interconnector is the responsibility of EirGrid. This national strategic project is on schedule and on budget for delivery by 2012. The full cost of the Interconnector is underwritten by all electricity customers under the regulatory model implemented by the Commission for Energy Regulation.

The European Commission is giving particular strategic priority to strengthening electricity interconnection across Europe. The strategic importance of the East West Interconnector project was recognised by the Commission with the granting of aid of €110m for the project in 2009 as part of the economy recovery support package for European interconnection and energy infrastructure. The East West interconnector will enable the import and export of electricity between Ireland and Britain, will underpin the progressive integration of the two-tier electricity market and will support the further integration of wind onto the Irish energy system.

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