Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the amount of money the delay in the commercial operation of Eirgrid's East West Interconnector will cost electricity consumers and the reason for this delay. [47758/12]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The East/West Interconnector (EWIC) connects the national transmission grid systems of Ireland and Britain. It has been constructed on time and within budget.

As with any major, complex project using purpose-built technology, comprehensive testing is necessary in relation to the Interconnector. Recent tests have highlighted some issues with regard to localised incidents of noise interference with telephone lines. I understand from EirGrid that a programme of works involving EirGrid and its contractor is currently under way to address these issues. The start of commercial trading over the Interconnector has been deferred until such time as all of the localised issues are resolved.

I wish to emphasise that this issue relates to noise on some telephone lines in the vicinity of the interconnector and is not a health concern.

In relation to any costs arising from the delay in the commercial operation of the Interconnector, it should be noted that EirGrid has not yet taken over the Interconnector from the contractor which designed, manufactured and installed it, and intends to do so only when the interference issues have been satisfactorily addressed.

The figures previously supplied by EirGrid in an affidavit to the Commercial Court in unsuccessful legal proceedings taken by Rush Community Council related to the scenario in which EirGrid would have been prevented from operating the Interconnector due to a legal challenge, in which case all costs incurred and loss of revenue would have fallen to EirGrid and to Irish electricity customers. However, the current scenario is entirely different.

By way of conclusion, I wish to state that the Interconnector is a hugely significant step in delivering electricity connectivity between Ireland and the UK and towards lessening our isolation as an energy market. Any temporary issues will be resolved as soon as possible in order to allow the Interconnector operate at a level which allows it to benefit Irish electricity consumers.