As the winter weather intensifies the electricity system is once again coming under pressure to meet the demands of industry and domestic customers.
While the ESB and the National Grid remain confident there will be no power blackouts this year, the Government is anxious to find new sources of electricity to boost national supply.
Following catastrophic breakdowns in New York and London, the Irish electricity system, with its combination of ageing plant and near dominance by one company, could be vulnerable to problems in the years ahead.
The Republic has aproximately 5,150 megawatts of installed capacity.
The winter peak hits about 4,410 megawatts most years and while this would appear to be a generous gap, it could become a problem if certain large stations like Moneypoint in Co Clare are out of action for maintenance.
According to figures produced by ESB National Grid, on average only 78 per cent of the above capacity is available at any one time, so if this winter is especially cold supply could become very tight.
To avoid this problem in the years ahead, the Government is keen on the idea of building two electricity interconnectors to Britain.
While some sources are sceptical about the idea of two interconnectors, there would appear to be some interest in building at least one.
Most sources agreed each interconnector would cost €250 million.
The interconnectors would allow companies, not necessarily generators, to import electricity into Ireland. However, in August the then Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, said Ireland might also be able to export power via this route, especially wind power.
At the time, Mr Ahern said building the two interconnectors would enhance security of supply, increase competition in the electricity market and integrate Ireland into the wider European energy market.
Electricity produced in Britain traditionally is cheaper than that generated in Ireland.
Britain has a larger market and is closer to supplies of oil and gas. At times British electricity has been 15 to 20 per cent cheaper than Irish electricity. The idea behind the interconnectors is to allow companies to access this power and sell it on to their customers.
While generating firms like Viridian would obviously be interested in using such an asset, non-generating companies like Bord Gáis might also wish to bring electricity into Ireland via this route.
