Media Section
Gas Security for Northern Ireland Moves a Step CloserPress Release - 23rd April 2007
Energy Players Sign New Security Deal
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings (NIEH), owner of the Moyle Electricity Interconnector with Scotland has reached agreement with the local transmission system operator SONI to provide nearly instantaneous back-up power purchased from the transmission system operator in GB in the event of a supply problem occurring on the power system.
The Moyle Interconnector, in addition to facilitating normal electricity trading between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is now signed up formally to provide ‘static reserve’ to the electricity system on the island of Ireland. Under the new deal with SONI, NIEH will provide an immediate 50 megawatts of power when there is an ‘event’ e.g. a problem at a power station, which reduces station output to the system.
The 50 megawatts which otherwise would need to be provided from power stations on the island of Ireland will then help ensure that in instances where there is a problem on the system potential power cuts or supply interruptions can be reduced or avoided.
Commenting on the agreement, Managing Director of NIEH subsidiary Moyle Interconnector Ltd, Paddy Larkin said:
“This is a win-win arrangement whereby the local electricity system is more secure for the operator and energy consumers can benefit from an increase in the reliability of their supply. While the service only became operational a couple of weeks ago it has already been called into action... Equally importantly, the commercial revenue from this deal will positively impact the NI Energy Holdings bottom line – and since we are a mutual company – the financial benefits of this will be used for the benefit of the local electricity consumer over the short, medium and long term.”
Notes for Editors:
A formal agreement between Northern Ireland Energy Holdings and the System Operator Northern Ireland (SONI) became operational on 1st April 2007.
Northern Ireland Energy Holdings is a mutual company (no shareholders to remunerate) founded in 2005, with the objective of owning and operating strategic energy assets on behalf of Northern Ireland’s energy consumers.
The principal assets are the Moyle (electricity) Interconnector providing 500MW of electricity transmission capacity between Northern Ireland and Scotland and the Scotland to Northern Ireland Pipeline (SNIP) – a 24 inch diameter subsea pipeline providing (until recently) Northern Ireland’s entire natural gas transmission capacity.
Photos Available:
Engineers on site at the Moyle Interconnector
Paddy Larkin - Managing Director, Moyle Interconnector Ltd
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Northern Ireland Energy Holdings Media Contact:
Michael McKernan, Lagan Consulting Tel: +44 (0)28 9261 9550
email: michael.mckernan@laganconsulting.com