The Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation today issued an information paper about the possible consequences for security of supply and other related issues should Kilroot power station be unsuccessful in obtaining the consents it requires to construct an FGD plant.
The Authority, together with the DETI, is responsible for security of supply. It has a statutory duty therefore to consider developments that might affect that security.
As the provision of new generating capacity cannot be achieved overnight the Authority has to consider how to manage a capacity shortfall occurring in the future. The paper examines the situation which would arise if Kilroot were no longer able to (or chose not to) generate electricity, either at all or, using coal from 2008 onwards.
As this would happen before the single electricity market – which will cover the electricity market in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic – is likely to encourage sufficient new generation to meet demand - the paper concludes that it would be necessary to secure additional generating capacity to meet any shortfall by taking the necessary steps now.
The paper indicates a number of possible ways in which any capacity shortfall could be made good, but acknowledges that it is for the market to decide how to meet the shortfall.
Copies of the paper can be accessed by clicking HERE or paper copies can be obtained by post from Ofreg, Brookmount Buildings, 42 Fountain Street, BELFAST, BT1 5EE TEL:02890311575
Fax: 02890311740
Copies of the paper will be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.
Notes for Editors
- AES Kilroot Ltd which owns Kilroot has appealed to the Planning Appeals Commission against the non determination of a planning application to install Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) at Kilroot. FGD is one way of reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide as required by the European Commission.
- NIAER has objected to the proposal on the grounds that it is unnecessary; that AES expect customers to pay the cost of installing FGD estimated at £35m; and that Kilroot will if the proposal is approved and Kilroot continues to operate as a coal fired base load plant produce, 2.8 million tonnes of CO2 per annum;
- CO2 is the principal greenhouse gas which is the cause of climate change and which the Government is committed to reducing.
OFREG (the Office for the Regulation of Electricity and Gas) supports the Northern Ireland Authority for Energy Regulation (NIAER) the regulator of the Electricity and Gas industries in Northern Ireland. NIAER’s powers are derived from the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992, the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 both as amended by the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.
For further information contact Terry McErlane at Weber Shandwick Telephone 028 90761007 or 07770886911