Comments on: Eirgrid http://www.irishelection.com/2008/03/eirgrid/ Coverage of Irish Politics, News and Current Affairs Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:38:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Where is Fine Gael’s David Cameron? | Richard Delevan http://www.irishelection.com/2008/03/eirgrid/comment-page-1/#comment-68830 Where is Fine Gael’s David Cameron? | Richard Delevan Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:37:08 +0000 http://www.irishelection.com/03/eirgrid/#comment-68830 [...] Paddy Power) He’s been mentioned in the past. Pros: He’s got nous on key issues like energy and broadband. He’s new-gen, but with merchant prince pedigree. Cons: He’ll need to [...] [...] Paddy Power) He’s been mentioned in the past. Pros: He’s got nous on key issues like energy and broadband. He’s new-gen, but with merchant prince pedigree. Cons: He’ll need to [...]

]]> By: Michael Taft http://www.irishelection.com/2008/03/eirgrid/comment-page-1/#comment-63688 Michael Taft Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:05:02 +0000 http://www.irishelection.com/03/eirgrid/#comment-63688 The transfer of ownership has little to do with privatisation in the short-term. It certainly has nothing to do with price or with competition. Even the Regulator admitted that were Eirgrid to become the 'owner' there would be no impact on prices. And since Eirgrid has been the de facto owner (insofar as it has been running the grid completely independently of ESB for the last 2/3 years), change of ownershp will have no impact on the day-to-day operation of the grid. Indeed, there may actually be a cost increase associated with the move since Eirgrid would have to buy in maintenance of the grid - and no one has investigated that thorny issue. In truth it is hard to see the reasons for this transfer either than (a) it is a smokescreen to divert attention from the real problems in the sector, or (b) the fears of many trade unionists are valid, it is part of a long-term plan to, first, break-up the ESB and then, two, sell it off bit by bit. Meanwhile, back on planet Ireland, the issues of the Regulator's distortion of the market resulting in higher than necessary electricity prices, the move to renewable sources of energy, and the need to invest in new generation of plant remain on the agenda. If the Minister's decision to 'shelve' the transfer plans allows space for these other issues to come to the fore, then it will have been a good day's work. The transfer of ownership has little to do with privatisation in the short-term. It certainly has nothing to do with price or with competition. Even the Regulator admitted that were Eirgrid to become the ‘owner’ there would be no impact on prices. And since Eirgrid has been the de facto owner (insofar as it has been running the grid completely independently of ESB for the last 2/3 years), change of ownershp will have no impact on the day-to-day operation of the grid. Indeed, there may actually be a cost increase associated with the move since Eirgrid would have to buy in maintenance of the grid – and no one has investigated that thorny issue.

In truth it is hard to see the reasons for this transfer either than (a) it is a smokescreen to divert attention from the real problems in the sector, or (b) the fears of many trade unionists are valid, it is part of a long-term plan to, first, break-up the ESB and then, two, sell it off bit by bit.

Meanwhile, back on planet Ireland, the issues of the Regulator’s distortion of the market resulting in higher than necessary electricity prices, the move to renewable sources of energy, and the need to invest in new generation of plant remain on the agenda. If the Minister’s decision to ‘shelve’ the transfer plans allows space for these other issues to come to the fore, then it will have been a good day’s work.

]]> By: Ian http://www.irishelection.com/2008/03/eirgrid/comment-page-1/#comment-63684 Ian Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:35:23 +0000 http://www.irishelection.com/03/eirgrid/#comment-63684 Just part of a larger trend sweeping Europe. Given the rebirth of Russia's truculent foreign policy (like cutting off gas), EU governments are becoming more reluctant to privatise their energy companies lest the likes of Gazprom buy them up. Just part of a larger trend sweeping Europe. Given the rebirth of Russia’s truculent foreign policy (like cutting off gas), EU governments are becoming more reluctant to privatise their energy companies lest the likes of Gazprom buy them up.

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