Signed Memo Moves Ireland One Step Closer To Exporting Power To UK

Irish wind farm will soon begin to export power directly to the UK’s national electricity grid.

Pat Rabbite, minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, and his British government counterpart Mr Ed Davey will sign a long-awaited memorandum of understanding that will pave the way for power exports.

Talks between the two governments have been ongoing for over a year and the ministers will now set out in broad terms an agreement that will allow Irish-based wind farms to sell power direct to the UK.

It is understood that a number of “big ticket” projects that will take advantage of the deal, are already in the early stages of planning.

Following the signing of the memo the next stage will involve full intergovernmental agreement, and possibly some form of supporting legislation on both sides of the Irish Sea.

A potential issue is that the process of getting a foreshore licence in the Republic can be long, and the guidelines are not clear.

Another will be the ownership of the networks. The private developers will be connecting their windfarms to Britain, effectively establishing their own networks, but only the State can own electricity networks, so they will have to transfer ownership on commercial terms.

While the deal is making progress, it is thought that a final, secure, agreement could take more time yet.

(H)