Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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541. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he has received a report on the break in the east-west electricity interconnector between Dublin and Wales; the reason for the loss of service; and when the interconnector will be back in operation. [29982/16]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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544. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm that the east-west interconnector power line will be out of commission for the next five months due to repairs; the steps being taken to remedy this; the effect this will have on Irish electricity supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29392/16]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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545. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the east-west interconnector power line being out of commission for the next five months due to repairs, if this will result in higher electricity bills for consumers, as has been reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29393/16]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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546. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources regarding the east-west interconnector power line being out of commission for the next five months due to repairs, if CER had discussions with his Department on the possible consequences this will have on retail and wholesale electricity bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29394/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 544 to 546, inclusive, together.

I have been advised by EirGrid that when the East West Interconnector was being returned to service on 8 September, following an annual maintenance shutdown, a fault occurred causing damage to the converter station equipment.  The repair of the converter station requires the removal of the damaged parts and the manufacture, delivery, and installation of replacement parts and subsequent testing of the repaired facility.

While the interconnector plays an important role in transferring power to and from the UK, EirGrid has publicly reassured energy consumers in their press statement of 30 September that there are no implications for the supply of electricity due to this issue. There is an adequate supply of electricity to meet demand over the coming months.

EirGrid, along with the contractor ABB, are currently investigating how to bring the interconnector back into service as soon as possible. The programme of work submitted by the contractor has a return to service time for the end of February 2017 and there are ongoing discussions with the contractor to expedite that programme.

My Department  is in ongoing contact with EirGrid and the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), both of which are alert to the importance of ensuring any impacts on commercial and domestic electricity customers are minimised. I am advised that the CER does not expect any significant rise in electricity retail prices as a result of this outage.  The precise impact is difficult to predict or assign, given the variability of factors that determine wholesale prices on this island and in Great Britain, including changes in fuel prices such as gas, variability of renewable generation output and demand, and power plant availability.  While the wholesale price is a key determinant of retail prices, typically on an annual basis, hedging arrangements minimise customer exposure price changes in a given period.

It is important to note that the East West Interconnector is one of two electricity interconnectors that connect the Single Electricity Market on the island of Ireland with the wholesale market in Great Britain. The second interconnector, called the Moyle interconnector, runs from Larne to Scotland and is currently operating at full capacity. This will help to mitigate any impact on the Single Electricity Market and electricity consumers.