The grid runs as a synchronous electrical grid and in terms of interconnections has undersea DC-only connections to the UK National Grid, alongside plans in the advanced stage for a higher power, planned Celtic Interconnector to France. In the 2019 UK General Election 2019, the Democratic Unionist Party included in their manifesto a proposal to link Iceland to Northern Ireland (a variant on Icelink).[4]
Ireland and Northern Ireland form a regional group of the Europe-wide ENTSO-E organisation. The networks are not yet interconnected with the Continental Europe grid, but have interconnection with the British network through the Moyle Interconnector and the East–West Interconnector. In 2014, the island had an electricity interconnection level (international transmission capacity relative to production capacity) of 9%, below the recommended 10% level.[6]
Electricity generators in the Republic of Ireland are ESB, SSE, Synergen (70% ESB), Edenderry Power, Endesa-Ireland and Huntstown (Viridian). ESB owns the transmission and distribution networks.
The transmission system operator is EirGrid plc, which assumed the role from ESB Networks on 1 July 2006. EirGrid ensures the safe, secure and economic operation of the high voltage electricity grid. EirGrid is owned by the Irish State and is established as a result of a government decision to create an independent organisation to carry out the transmission system operator function, in order to assist the liberalisation of Ireland''s electricity industry and the development of a competitive market.
The electricity industry is regulated by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities which also regulates the natural gas market. The functions and duties of the commission have been altered and expanded significantly by legislation transposing EU directives into Irish law.
The high-voltage Irish electricity transmission grid comprises 6,800 km of power lines and operates at 400 kV, 220 kV and 110 kV.[14] Substations provide entry points to, and exits from, the transmission grid. Entry points include thermal and hydro-electric power stations, major wind farms, and inter-connectors from other countries and regions. Exit points are to lower voltage (220 kV, 110 kV, and 38 kV) transmission and distribution substations.
EirGrid is the Transmission System Operator (TSO), and ESB Networks is the Transmission Asset Owner (TAO).[14]
There are two 400 kV lines. One is from Moneypoint power station to Woodland substation where there is a connection to the 400 kV DC East-West Interconnector. The Oldstreet 400 kV substation is an intermediate substation on this line. The second line is from Moneypoint power station to Dunstown 400 kV substation.[15]
There are 220 kV substations at:
Aghada power station, Arklow, Arva, Ballyvouskill, Ballynahulla, Belcamp, Carrickmines, Cashla, Clashavoon, Clonee, Corduff, Cowcross, Cullenagh, Dunstown, Finglas, Flagford, Glanagow power station, Gorman, Great Island power station, Huntstown power station, Kellistown, Kilpaddoge, Killonan, Knockraha, Killonan, Lodgewood, Louth (and a connection to the 275 kV Northern Ireland grid), Maynooth, Moneypoint power station, Prospect, Raffee, Shannonbridge, Srananagh, Tarbert power station, Turlough Hill, and West Dublin.[15]
Ireland has several grid energy storage facilities with a combined 1.1 GW power,[16][17] of which some are bidding into Ireland''s DS3 grid services market for frequency control.[18][19]
There are three power stations in Northern Ireland: Ballylumford power station, Coolkeeragh power station and Kilroot power station. Northern Ireland Electricity (a subsidiary of ESB Group) owns the transmission and distribution networks.
The single electricity market means that Northern Ireland Electricity carries electricity on its network in exchange for a regulated charge to the electricity supply company. As of September 2011, domestic customers in Northern Ireland are able to buy electricity from Electric Ireland, Power NI, Airtricity, Click Energy or Budget Energy. Industrial and commercial customers are able to choose from several other electricity suppliers.
The transmission system operator is System Operator Northern Ireland, which ensures the safe, secure and economic operation of the high voltage electricity grid. Its counterpart in the Republic of Ireland is EirGrid. Both of these are owned by EirGrid plc which also (through a joint partnership) acts as the single energy market operator, i.e., runs the new all-island wholesale market for electricity.[33]
The electricity industry in Northern Ireland is regulated by the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation.[34] The authority is an independent public body established to oversee and regulate the electricity, gas, water and sewerage industries in Northern Ireland. The Authority is a non-ministerial government department responsible for promoting the short and long term interests of consumers. It does not make policy, but ensures that the energy and water utility industries are regulated and developed within ministerial policies. It is governed by a board of directors and is accountable to the Northern Ireland Assembly.[34]
The regulatory system was reformed in 2003 to combine the regulation of electricity and natural gas into a single energy regulator. The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation was established and the offices of Director General of Gas for Northern Ireland and Director General of Electricity Supply for Northern Ireland were abolished.[38] The posts of Chief Executive and Chair of the Energy Regulator were split in 2006.
In April 2007 the regulatory system for utilities was further reformed to encompass the water supply and sewage industries.[39] The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation became the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation. The board of directors is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the organisation. The board comprises a non-executive chairman, four non-executive members and the chief executive. The key functional areas in the organisation are Network Operations, Wholesale, Retail and Consumer Protection, and Corporate Affairs.[40]
Director General of Electricity Supply
Chair and Chief Executive of Energy Regulation
Chief Executive of Energy Regulation
Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
Chair of Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation
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Ireland generated 31.1 terawatt hours worth of electricity in 2023. This represents a decrease of over nine percent in comparison to 2020, when Ireland reported its highest production of electricity since 2001. During the period in consideration, figures increased by over six terawatt hours.
The Government is working legislation through the Oireachtas to provide emergency electricity generation for Dublin in the event of a supply shortage.
The Department of the Environment said amendments to the Planning & Development Act have been approved, "which are currently being considered by the Oireachtas, to ensure temporary generation could be permitted in a timely manner if required".
It also warned that electricity generation capacity "compared to demand is reducing due to decreased levels of availability of some power stations, high-emission power stations closing, a limited amount of replacement dispatchable generation capacity being constructed and growing electricity demand".
It is understood that the ESB plans to install temporary generators on a brownfield site at North Wall in Dublin.
The move to ensure a back-up temporary electricity supply comes as two key gas-fired power stations in Dublin and Cork are out of operation and are not due to be back online until the October or November.
EirGrid, which operates the national electricity grid, said that "simultaneous outages of two large generators increase the risk of tight margins this winter, if these do not return as planned by November".
It added that it is working with the Department of the Environment and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities "to proactively explore a variety of options, including potential temporary generation and other measures, to mitigate any issues and manage the demand and supply balance in order to maintain system security".
The Department of the Environment chairs a group that includes the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid, which is monitoring progress on actions being taken to ensure secure supplies of electricity.
These actions include increasing the availability of existing generators, the development of new generation capacity, including for the coming winter, and changes to the grid connection of data centres.
The Government is currently carrying out a review of the security of energy supply in Ireland up to 2030, with a technical analysis expected to be published and the public consultation undertaken later this year.
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