A new initiative involving electricity providers in Northern Ireland, the Republic and Scotland is set to bring greater competition to the local energy market.

Through the newly laid Moyle Interconnection cable, the main service providers in the three regions have been brought together – NIE, eirtricity, and Scottish and Southern Energy plc – increasing choice and value for customers on an all-island basis.

The Managing Director of Northern Ireland Electricity, Harry McCracken, welcomed the move: “NIE has invested the money to provide the Irish market with competitive sources of generation, and it is proving to be money well spent. As well as bringing lower prices to industrial customers in Northern Ireland, it is now also delivering environment benefits.”

The deal feeds renewable and power generated in Scottish hydro-power stations to customers in Ireland.

The head of eirtricity, Dr Eddie O’Connor, said: “With major growth in our home market and successful expansion into Northern Ireland and Scotland, I am absolutely confident that 2002 will be an even better year.”

The 500-megawatt connection at Islandmagee links the Scottish electrical grids between the county Antrim town and Auchencrosh, Ayrshire, and was set in place in 2001 at a cost of £150 million.

The Moyle cable will be fully operational in March. (GMcG)