EirGrid planning for decade of growth in electricity demand

Increasing demand and the retirement of older generating stations will likely create electricity supply challenges for the island of Ireland in the coming years, according to this year’s generation capacity statement (GCS). The GCS is published annually by EirGrid and examines the likely balance between electricity demand and supply in the period up to 2030. …

Inside Britain’s energy crisis – and how to fix it

Wind farms deliver almost a fifth of Britain’s electricity, but a freak anticyclone has hovered over Western Europe since mid-August, bringing calmer weather and low wind speeds, sapping power production.  According to energy consultant Cornwall Insight, wind typically accounts for 18pc of the nation’s power mix, a share which has dropped to just 2pc in…

Electricity bills should fall marginally after CRU cuts PSO levy

The PSO levy is paid by all electricity customers in Ireland and is used to support the renewable energy sector. Following a review of the PSO cost submissions, the CRU’s final calculation is that a PSO levy of €263.70 million will be required for the 2021/22 PSO year. This represents a decrease of €129.43 million…

Pinergy becomes latest energy provider to increase rates

More people are facing increases to their electricity bills after provider Pinergy became the latest to announce an increase to its standard residential energy prices. The company said the move follows sustained issues in the wholesale energy market and national grid, which are causing “unprecedented pricing pressures”. The change, which will take effect from August 23rd,…

Renewable energy sources expanding – but not as quickly as demand for electricity

Data showing electricity demand growing faster than renewables across the world is particularly pertinent to Ireland, especially with the proliferation of data centres, a leading energy expert has said. The International Energy Agency (IEA) said this week that renewables are expanding quickly but not quickly enough to satisfy a strong rebound in global electricity demand.…

Electricity grid warnings ‘causing disquiet’ among multinationals, says IDA

Warnings that electricity demand was pushing supplies to their limit sparked concern among multinationals in the Republic, IDA Ireland has told regulators. Electricity market regulators last winter issued several “amber alerts”, warning that demand in the Dublin area was close to capacity, increasing the risk of power cuts should the network run into problems. IDA Ireland says…