merrion street

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Pat Rabbitte TD, today announced that in the context of the EU Third Energy Package the Government has decided that the ownership of the electricity transmission assets is to remain with ESB while the operation and development of the transmission system will continue to be the responsibility of EirGrid.

The Government decision follows a process of consideration over the past eighteen months, including a report carried out by Frontier Economics Limited, under the independent chairmanship of Mr Fergus Cahill. The decision also takes account of the current financial and economic climate. The Frontier Report is now available here

There will now follow, in light of the Government Decision, a process of certification under Article 9 (9) of the EU Directive to demonstrate the compliance with the Directive of the existing arrangements for electricity transmission in Ireland. The certification process, which will take a number of months, is a matter for the Commission for Energy Regulation and the European Commission.

In the meantime, the Minister has spoken with the Chairs of ESB and EirGrid and has asked them to ensure optimal cooperation in the cost-effective development and maintenance of the national transmission infrastructure in the interests of electricity consumers