Ireland’s electricity grid is “in a much better position” than it was a year ago, according to Eirgrid.

In its latest Winter Outlook forecast the Irish electricity grid operator notes that Ireland is at a lower risk of a power systems alert than it was last year – but still not at no risk.

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, Eirgrid CEO Mark Foley explained why the system has improved.

“The most important point here is that we are in a much better position than we were last year and that's across three dimensions,” he said.

“We have more generation capacity with 270 megawatts, part of which is being commissioned now and the balance of which will come on-stream before Christmas.

“We have a much better outlook in the United Kingdom and France, who are critical in terms of, we get power from the UK whenever we have a need and they, of course, are backed into France.

“Thirdly, we have very, very good relationships and protocols with large energy users who are prepared to put their assets at our disposal in the unlikely event that we have to call on them.

“That's an important one. We don't expect to have to call on them, but we know they're there. They're an insurance policy for us.”

Eirgrid

Mr Foley said the large energy users involved are “big industrial players” and data centres.

He said the companies can send energy they have generated themselves back into the grid and they can also turn down their own production when the grid is operating under pressure.

“They'll do both as we as we ask of them,” he said.

“We have developed very sophisticated protocols with them for those potential eventualities, and I stress potential because we think it's going to be unlikely.”

Planning

Mr Foley said Ireland’s power system is “very secure” and insisted it is also “one of the greenest” in the world.

He said planning delays are the biggest challenge facing the renewable energy sector in Ireland.

“What you’ll hear from those who represent the wind energy industry - and they are correct in what they say - is there hasn't been a project out of planning from An Bord Pleanála in over 12 months,” he said. “So there is a delay there.”

“Now, I think An Bord Pleanála have done a lot of good work to get themselves fit for purpose, but they've had their difficulties.

“You know, I'm not being pessimistic, I'm just saying it's always challenging to put projects through the planning system in Ireland and in other European jurisdictions.

“So, I think the biggest challenge is in planning.”