Electricity Generation, Distribution and Supply in Ireland Bob Hanna SEI 24 September 2003

Electricity Generation, Distribution and Supply in Ireland How much electricity is generated? Fuel mix for generation Structure of the electricity supply system Generating Stations Efficiency Suppliers Emissions

How Much Electricity is Generated? Installed Capacity is about 4,700 MW Peak Demand over 4,000 MW Instantaneous Power varies between 1,200 MW and 4,000 MW Electricity Generated per annum c. 22 TWh (22,000 GWh)

Generation Fuel Mix

ESB Power Stations - Thermal

ESB Power Stations - Hydro

Independent Power Producers Edenderry Power120 MWPeat Synergen400 MWGas Huntstown 343 MWGas

Generation Market Shares % 18% 22%

Forecast All-Ireland Generation 2005

The ESB system comprises a 400/220/110kV network with generation distributed around the country but with a significant proportion concentrated in the Dublin area.

ESB Network Issues Planning Difficulties for O/H LInes Significant Low Voltage + Congestion Problems Capex Constraints (~ €0.5 Billion) “Shallow” Connection Policy Delayed Access for New Entrants Inadequate Generation Margins

Efficiency Considerations Conventional Thermal Power Plant:30 – 36% Large Open Cycle GT Plant:36% Large CCGT Plant:55% Medium Scale CHP Plant:80% (inc. heat)

Efficiency of Total Electricity System

Electricity Suppliers The market is 40% open (threshold is 1 GWh per annum) Approximately 40 licensed suppliers! 4 main competitors to ESB Supply: Energia ESB Independent Energy BGE Airtricity

CO 2 Emissions per kWh of Electricity Generated

Energy Related CO 2 Emissions by Mode of Energy Application

Relative Cost of CO 2 Reduction Measures Service Strength of Demand Growth CO 2 Intensity Relative Cost of Reduction* Electricity Heat+++10 Transport+++ 5 * Climate Change Strategy

Summary of Key Parameters Diversified fuel mix (but increasingly less so) Almost totally isolated system (but increasingly less so) Long overhead lines at low TX or DX voltages Transmission constraints Generation shortage Price! Choice of Suppliers Electricity focus for Emissions Reductions