21/07/2003

MP welcomes cross-border electricity agreement

East Antrim MP Roy Beggs has welcomed the electricity agreement between Northern Ireland Electricity (NIE) and benefactors in the Republic of Ireland.

The three-year deal will see Premier Power’s Ballylumford Power Station near Larne supply its 170 Megawatts of electricity to the Electricity Supply Board in the south.

The MP said: “This cross border trading in electricity will require the retention in operation of one of the existing older units at Ballylumford Power Station and will secure fifteen jobs which is excellent news.

"Electricity customers in Northern Ireland will benefit from the income earned from electricity exports to the Republic of Ireland and should at last start to experience reductions in the their electricity bills which will be a direct result of increased competition in energy markets.”

The agreement, with an option to extend to another three years, represents a landmark in North South energy trade and is the first of its kind for a major capacity export from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland.

Ian Pearson, NIO Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, described the deal as a milestone on the road to an all-island energy market.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

27 June 2008
Rathlin's Big 'Switch' Pulled
Rathlin islanders are at last able to enjoy a dependable supply of electricity. Yesterday, NI Regional Development Minister Conor Murphy officially switched on a new 10.4km subsea electricity cable which extends from Ballycastle to Rathlin Island.
25 September 2003
Minister announces £30m electricity initiative
Enterprise Minister, Ian Pearson has announced plans to invest £30 million in a new initiative aimed at reducing electricity bills for Northern Ireland's businesses. It is hoped that the funding, which is part of a draft budget, will help businesses save 10% on their electricity bills.
10 June 2022
Click Energy Announces 11% Price Increase
Click Energy, the smallest of the five electricity suppliers in Northern Ireland, has announced it will be increasing electricity prices by 11% from 1 July 2022, impacting around 26,000 customers.
14 November 2011
Gaelectric Meets Enterprise Committee
Top executives from the Northern Ireland renewable energy development and energy technology group, Gaelectric, have met with members of the NI Enterprise Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee to highlight the contribution of the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland to economic development and energy security.
11 November 2011
Gaelectric In High-Powered Dublin Meeting
Executives from the Northern Ireland renewable energy development and energy technology group, Gaelectric, have met with members of the NI Enterprise Trade and Investment (ETI) Committee to highlight the contribution of the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland to economic development and energy security.