A new electricity market for Ireland that should increase competition and reduce costs to the consumer came into effect today.
After years in the planning, the Single Electricity Market became a reality at midnight and involved the combination of the two separate wholesale markets North and South into one cross-border market.
The new market is the first cross-Border market of its kind in Europe. All electricity produced on the island will be sold into one large "pool", and supply companies will buy power out of the pool.
The market has been designed to set the cheapest possible price for electricity at all times - with no one company having an undue influence over electricity prices.
According to the regulators the single wholesale market introduces a new culture of co-operation in the energy field that will benefit all customers.
Tom Reeves chairman of the Commission for Energy Regulation in the Republic and Iain Osborne, chief Utility Regulator in the north both welcomed the move.
PA