Ireland's electricity system could face major difficulties if contracts are not signed today for the Republic's two new power stations.
Final agreements with Aughinish Alumina and Tynagh Energy are due to be signed by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
The signings were supposed to happen last week, but were delayed. The reason for the delays was not disclosed.
The CER and the Tynagh Energy group have refused to comment on speculation that financing that deal had proven difficult. The main financial backers are Investec Bank of South Africa.
The firm scheduled to build the 400 megawatt plant is Turkish company Gamma Construction.
Last week the utility firm, Viridian, called on the energy regulator, Mr Tom Reeves, to ensure there were no further delays in awarding contracts.
Viridian was a losing bidder in the competition but Mr David de Casseres, managing director (generation), said delays in awarding the contracts could result in no company being able to commission new plants in time for winter 2005/06.
"The regulator needs to stick to the December 23rd deadline come what may. To let things creep into the new year would be very serious," he said.
The CER said that today remained the planned date for completing arrangements with the preferred bidders.
Tynagh plans to build its plant near the site of old Tynagh Mine in Co Galway.
There was surprise in electricity circles when it was named preferred bidder, with long-established names such as Bord Gáis, Viridian, Scottish & Southern Energy and AES Electric losing out.
Some market sources have suggested that Viridian will build another station beside Huntstown regardless of the competition outcome.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Communications and Natural Resources, Mr Ahern, yesterday published a new study calling for Ireland's green energy output to rise between now and 2020.
The consultation document, Options for Future Renewable Energy Policy, Targets and Programmes, suggested renewable energy should account for 13-20 per cent of overall energy output by 2010 and 15-30 per cent by 2020.
The document acknowledged the recent decision by the CER to halt further wind energy connections to the grid because of concerns raised by the ESB National Grid.
It suggested wind power required back-up from conventional sources and said this would have to be considered in the years ahead.
It also stated that, due to high economic growth and consequent high growth in electricity consumption, the national grid required upgrading in many areas.
