Commission Established The Electricity Regulation Act 1999 implemented Directive No. 96/92/EC. It provided for the Commission for Electricity Regulations (now the Commission for Regulation of Utilities) which would have powers to grant licences for the supply of electricity and for construction of generating stations. It provided for access to the transmission and distribution systems by holders of licences and eligible customers. Electricity Regulation Act 1999 […]
Single Market 1998 European Communities (Internal Market In Electricity) Regulations 1998 gave effect to Directive 96/92/EC on the common rules for the internal market in energy. This sought to open up the energy sector progressively to competition. It modified the statutory monopoly of the Electricity Supply Board. It modified the (1927 Act) legislation governing permits to conform with the directive’s requirements. Electricity Regulation Act 1999 […]
Single Market Committee The Electricity Regulation (Amendment) Single Electricity Market Act 2007 established a Single Electricity Market Committee. This helps the framework for the performance of functions of the CER (now the CRU) relating to the single market. It provided for information sharing between various parties to the SEM to facilitate the effective operation of the market. The Act provided objectives of the Minister and […]
Early Electric Light In London, electric light was first used in 1878. By 1882, over 50 companies had floated on the stock exchange, and very considerable capital had been employed. A speculative phase arose, and significant losses were later suffered. The first electric lights appeared in Dublin City in 1880. The Dublin Electric Light Company was floated as a public company. The first use of […]
Early Proposals The Liffey, Shannon, Erne and Bann were mentioned as possible of hydroelectric power resources. A company was formed which sought to generate hydroelectricity from the Liffey. Dublin Corporation had itself undertaken a feasibility study into the use of the Liffey for this purpose. It recommended a storage reservoir above Poulaphouca by constructing a dam 100 feet high with the building of a power […]
ESB Boards The Board was to be nominated by the Executive Council. Members were to hold office for five years. Employees were not civil servants and were not pensionable. The Board sought to be removed from politics. No member could be a member of the Dail or Seanad. It was to be entrusted with the responsibility for making the Shannon scheme a workable economic proposition. […]
Ringsend When it was built in 1955, Ringsend station was the largest in the Irish Electricity network. It was developed in two stages, Ringsend “A” of 90,000 kW capacity, commissioned in 1955-56 and Ringsend “B” of 180,000 kW capacity, commissioned in 1965-56: RINGSEND Acomprised four Babcock and Willcox 200,000 lb./hr. boilers delivering steam at 625 p.s.i.g. 865/F to a receiver for distribution to three Parsons […]
Liberalisation European Union directives aim to create a single European electricity market. Ireland has progressively liberalised the market and energy commencing with the Energy Regulation Act 1999, followed by the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity Regulations 2000. In 2005, the full market was opened up to competition. Bord Gáis initially entered the market for business customers. Once ESB reached 60 per cent share, deregulation […]