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APPLICATIONS FOR TWO temporary electricity generators in Dublin have been filed by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to An Bord Pleanála.
The applications, which are for two temporary generators in North Wall in Dublin and in Huntstown Power Station in Dublin, would provide 300 additional megawatts of power to the Irish electricity grid, according to an Eirgrid tender notice issued last October.
This is enough energy to power just under half a million homes for a year.
Concerns around electricity generation were first raised by EirGrid last year due to rising demand and the closure of some older, fossil-fuel power plants, like Moneypoint in Clare.
A major report by EirGrid showed that Ireland could potentially face electricity shortages over the next several winters due to the shutdown of older plants.
The Journal understands that these new emergency generators are to be fossil-fuel powered and are expected to be used for the next two to three years.
It is understood that EirGrid is seeking to have them operational before this winter when it’s expected further pressure will be placed on the electricity grid due to higher usage.
The two applications were filed to An Bord Pleanala on 25 March as Strategic Infrastructure Developments (SID).
These are projects that are deemed as strategically important economic or social developments.
In a statement to The Journal, EirGrid said that due to the closure of older plants, there is further pressure being placed on the “supply-demand” balance.
“Maintaining the balance between supply and demand has become increasingly challenging due to several factors,” a spokesperson for EirGrid said.
“These include the phasing out of certain types of conventional generation providing additional backup in line with European directives and significant growth in electricity demand.
These factors have the potential to place increased pressure on the supply demand balance, particularly when demand for electricity is high and renewable generation is low.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications says it’s working with both EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to ensure electricity supplies are maintained.
“The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications is working closely with the CRU and EirGrid to ensure continued secure supplies of electricity,” said a spokesperson for the Department.
“These notices form part of the process that is being managed by EirGrid, in line with their tender for Temporary Emergency Generation which closed in November 2021.”
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Good, there’s another one in Cork November 12th
@Laura Mulcahy: Which will achieve what exactly?
@Justin Gillespie: big crowd huddled together keeping warm on a cold November afternoon saving a couple hours worth of energy costs is one positive
@Justin Gillespie: a little article on the journal where it says hundreds of people (not thousands)atended
@Justin Gillespie: What do you think is the point of protest?
It’s to pressure change. Did you say the same stuff during the Irish water protests, which as you know achieved quite a lot or do you just show apathy towards those who protest because you never had the guts to organise yourself
@Justin Gillespie: I see you have the redress campaign banner on your Facebook which is good, it’s just odd you support one grassroots campaign and not the other
@SquintEastwood: It hasn’t happened yet!
@Justin Gillespie: And here’s a classic example why those in power will continue to get away with the poor decisions they make. The “couldnt be bothered” brigade. Them water protests years back is a big reason why the charges were abolished. Achieved nothing though, good man Justin.
@Colette Kearns: my reply was to what the protest will achieve….nothing
@aaron: Water Charges were a good idea!
@Justin Gillespie: If you recall these protests put on hold water charges, Tax protests brought in a (Better) system for PAYE workers, the gray protests reversed the withdrawal of medical cards when Kenny and so called Labour decided to take back medical cards to pay the bondholders. It certainly makes FFG/ Greens who facilated in the economic destruction of this country to take notice.
@Donal Desmond: Over 50 Garda stations closed to save a paltry few quid. One of them (Home Farm) was only a few hundred metres from the Regency Hotel shooting. Anti-social behaviour on the rise. Just to add to your list Donal.
@Justin Gillespie: now Justin keep the faith, remember the water protests and the grey OAPs march on the dail. Both achieved their goals. They were great days and i really enjoyed them. Unable to get to this one.
@Justin Gillespie: or you could just sit at home like yourself
@David Terry: Spot on David!!
@Justin Gillespie: it will achieve more than any keyboard warrior for sure
@David Terry: No they weren’t David. It was based on a capitalistic idea to privatise our water and sell a natural resource back to use for profit to enrich shareholders and privateers . You sir are a gullible fool if you believed otherwise
@Justin Gillespie: nothing. Sinn Fein has been praising Putin for decades, and only cancelled him when they realised his war was unpopular. Why don’t they say it like it is, that he’s the cause of the problem, not the government.
@David Terry: Just imagine had water charges had gone through, The chances are Irish water would have been privatised by now, which was the government’s agenda. How much do you think you would now be paying for your water presently had it been privatised. On top of the increases we now pay to enrich energy companies, do you think Irish water would be any different. Fully supported the water protests and the protest today.
@Justin Gillespie: people power. It worked for water.
@Maria Mcphillips: No it didn’t, you’re still paying for water, just in a different way.
@SquintEastwood: Well??
@Justin Gillespie: Maybe more than those who’d rather sit on their lazy ar-se and do nothing but whinge.
@Justin Gillespie: ah yes we should just take our medicine like a good servile little bunch. I mean protests have never achieved anything in the past! Jesus would you grow a pair!
@Donal Desmond: You are all slipping. It took 11 posts from the top of the thread before somebody blamed FFH/Greens. Come on!! You can do better than that!
@sean o’dhubhghaill: When you consider it was FF/ Greens when last in power brought this country to its knees and now their in government with FG who made matters worse , it’s not rocket science to see where their economic policy has led. Amazing Varadkar and Martin have stated they understand the anger of people…The perpetrators agreeing with the victims…Hypocrisy at it’s best.
@Donal Desmond: people power works
But we all have to be singing off the same hymn sheet
@aaron: what do you think the water protests achieved? A tax on water would have moved the cost of providing water on to those who use it with most people paying very little but those who use a lot of water e.g. companies, people who water their large gardens frequently etc paying more. The costs to provide the water didn’t go away; they were just left to the PAYE worker who pays for everything.
@Gavin Mckenna: The costs weren’t abolished though. The PAYE worker is still paying them
@Donal Desmond: I currently pay €260 a year for drinking water. I used to be able to drink my rap water. Washing in it is a bit grim now too. Water protests did nothing other than kick the can down the road.
@Smithweiser: you have a source for that or did you make it up ?
How do you protest against pure greed, because at the end of day that’s all it is. Big companies constantly upping their prices and not giving two good ones about the families who are struggling. They say its because of different factors going on in the world but it really seems like is they know there’s a down turn coming and they’re lining their pockets now and covering themselves for the future.
@aidan mccormack: If Price rises are as a result of the war, how come the war is paying Big Dividends to Oil Companies, Therefore it’s the boards of of the CEO’s faceless ones smirking as they fool people with their greed, while getting a clap on the back by politicians for raising more; Tax.
@ÓDuibhír Abú: Excellent point. This is the root of the problem.
@ÓDuibhír Abú: You’re talking about oil companies, wholesale gas prices are the cause of the gas/electricity problems at the minute due to a supply/demand issue with Russia cutting their supply. Oil companies not related to that issue……
RE: Oil prices, they are the similar to what they were before the war on the wholesale market but as oil is traded in dollars, and the euro is very weak to the dollar, its much more expensive at the pump then prior to the war.
@aidan mccormack: the mistake I think is to speculate on the causes. The problem here lies with a system of organising society. If you vote any of ff FG sf this will not go away. These parties tinker at the edges. They won’t make this go away as long as they accept the basic system that underpins what is happening now…which has always happened but now no longer only effects the well off. Creating poverty knowingly (who could possibly imagine that capitalism doesn’t accept this and then exploit it…how handy the poor are for a variety of reasons…) is the real moral issue here but is still secondary to the immorality of promoting a system that creates and relies on poverty in the first place.
@paul christopher cox: the root of the problem is the war. The war wasn’t started by the government, it was started by Putin. So why are sinn fein trying to make out that this is the government’s fault, and not the fault of their buddy Putin? Do they take us for idiots?
@aidan mccormack: everyone should go back to find out what their unit price was 12 months ago. Call their supplier and pay that unit price x units used on current bill and tell them they’re paying no more. If 50% of people did this there is no way they can come after everyone. There is a moratorium on switching off of electricity and gas supplies so what can they do. If enough do this then they will get the picture. We are paying for what’s owed without lining pockets.
@John Mulligan: In your case your level of idi-ocy is quite clear . You prove it over and over with your embarrassing putin/S.F comments.
@Oisin Daly: unfortunately populist ideas like this will not stop the costs from rising. This is very clearly an issue bigger than the shores of our country.
@John Mulligan: Agreed. My thinking was that we unfortunately live in a world that has become more judgemental in regard to social standing and a biased opinion of ones social class. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in ones mouth.
@Paolo Fandango: how is this a populist idea? We would be paying what we would have been before the war was used as an excuse to raise prices? I don’t understand how you believe this is populist? People like you are the problem and we all need a solution
@ÓDuibhír Abú:
@Frances Casey: why did SF delete two thousand online documents supporting Putin when rhey realised irish public opinion was against his war in Ukraine?
50 years ago a man if he has a trade could buy a standard house on his weeks wages, one wages a bit of a struggle but possible and run a banger of a car to get the kids to the seaside ,what went wrong ,Do we expect to much or are did the greedy get greedier
In England there is a enough is enough campaign with Dempsey and Lynch speaking up for the working poor two English men of Irish parents should we invite them over here to get us started
@FlopFlipU: when unemployment was huge and women were not allowed work when they got married. It is actually progress and no government could stop it and the people wanted it. Nothing happens in a vacuum
@Craic_a_tower: Yes, women being able to work after marriage and the unemployment situation IS progress, I don’t get how people not being able to afford their own home is progress? If anything, 2 people working and less unemployment should make it easier for people to afford their own home? Or maybe “progress” by design? People wanted it?
@FlopFlipU: that was 50 years ago. The world has changed. It’s a fallacy to think that today things should be the same as 50 years ago.
@FlopFlipU: 40 years ago my dad was paying 20+% interest on his mortgage.
@FlopFlipU: that man was also working poor and if he was to die or become ill there was no social support for his family. Children were often farmed off to families or orphanages because he couldn’t feed them. Take your rise tinted glasses off.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: progress is an illusion designed to serve a handful of people at the top of this Ponzi scheme. monetary systems are so well manipulated in favour of the super-rich that it doesn’t matter if you liberate women, crush racism, eradicated disease, the system adapts its flow, always up, and to exactly the same sector of society that filled the vacuum when the monarchy’s relinquished their grip.
How come mica redress are there ,did they not get close to €3 billion off tax payers.must be giving some of it back to help the people struggling to eat this year
@Liam Collins: biggest shakedown of taxpayer since army deafness claims
@Liam Collins: Ever hear of the term solidarity no? Also what makes you think they aren’t struggling during the cost of living crisis? They didn’t get 3 billion into their pockets
@James Gorman: The biggest shakedown of the taxpayer was for Bankers.
@Liam Collins: only about 17 houses fixed this far. Access to funding is a joke. Thus far the redress is nothing more than a headline for FFGG
@Liam Collins: Too many different agendas on the march. Results in a dilution of the original message which was about the Cost of Living.
@G Row.: No it wasnt – it was for borrowers too. We all partied – remember
Ireland is apparently 3rd or 4th richest in the world per capita. If there are prorests here, imagine what the poorer 98% are like.
@François Pignon: The key word in your post is “apparently”.
@François Pignon: Judging by Instagram most people have had four holidays this year. I think we’re not too badly off.
@François Pignon: Sure, we’ve nothing to worry about so. It’s all about the average and mean average and how that wealth is divided. So that 3rd or 4th richest per capita means nothing to the poorest in our society.
@Figo murphy: Most people? Can you wrap a figure around that please?
@David Corrigan: Would it not have made sense to wait until after the budget for protests or am I missing something?
@Justin Gillespie: Fair question Justin. The high cost of living crisis has been ramping up for months though but it’s going to go supersonic over the next 4 – 5 months.
Mick and his peers know about this months ago.
@François Pignon: If they spent even a little time in a less well off country they’d know how well they have it fairly quickly. The dole here is higher than the average salary in a number of European countries just to put a bit of context on it.
@DK: The dole? People in good paying jobs are struggling for heavens sake. This crisis is causing a lot of problems for the majority.
@Justin Gillespie: I think the point is that people are already struggling and are demanding change now – it’s that simple. I will be at that March – I think anyone who can needs to be there and stand against the ridiculous costs of living. Highly educated and hard working people cannot get ahead. Something is seriously wrong and people need to stand up.
@François Pignon: Then why do we have the highest proportion of people in the EU on minimum wage salaries? Why are salaries so low in general compared to other wealthy countries? That’s right, it’s all going to the top.
(And also our wealth is inflated by all the MNCs)
@Figo murphy: good for them I’ve not had a sun holiday since my honeymoon 3 years ago!!!!
@DK: and what about the working class it’s not all about the rich and the dole merchants the working class struggle too, this divide that seems to be happening its pushing the working class out and we are being forgotten about!!
@Justin Gillespie: no that would not make any sense Justin and you know it. The point is to pressure the government into delivering a suitable budget. Why would you wait until after the budget when the damage is done?
Would you wait until someone slips on a mess before cleaning the mess up?
@DK: Yup and literally every other metric for expense is higher than nearly every other EU country. Learn to read
@David Corrigan: Yes, it’s just giving a bit of context as I said. Sorry I should have realised you wouldn’t know what that means going by your posts on here.
@Joanne Stokes: Yes I’m working class too, I know about the cost of living crises. People need to accept we’ll all be a little less well off through this as will the rest of Europe, there’s only so much the the government can do and they’ll do a lot more than most governments will do for its citizens through this crisis.
@aaron: haven’t a clue so you don’t. Enjoy your march Paul Murphy and Co.
@DK: You shouldn’t try to be smart as it really doesn’t suit you. Any luck on the job front?
@aaron: if the idea is to pressurise the government into making changes, then holding a rally 2 days before the budget is due to be delivered is as they say pissing in to the wind.All the opposition deputies must be aware that no radical changes will be made this late in the day.
@David Corrigan: have a job but thanks for the interest. Looking forward to the budget where I should end up over €1000 better off than before it that will go some of the way to offset the increase in inflation. Are you still complaining about the cost of energy for your 3 bed house you live in alone? Could always get a lodger if things are that bad.
@Figo murphy: I think you misinterpreted that. Most people I know haven’t had a holiday in 4 years
@DK: Complaining? Having an opinion that is different to yours is now complaining?
You needn’t worry about me. I’m doing fine.
@barry moore: That’s a lie.
And the line up of speakers reads like a who’s who of malcontents who jump on any bandwagon coming. Worse than the line up you’d see on the Late Late Show and that’s saying a lot.
@Paul Shepherd: Funny but the malcontens Varadkar, Martin whose economic policy added to this mess have stated the understand the anger of the people. Amazing how the perpetrators agree with the victims.
Amazing all the Marches we had for Water charges and not one for the Property Tax which is a Disgrace as it’s a completely underhanded and sneaky tax which isn’t being utilised by the Government.. It’s easy to blame the war on Ukraine for everything
@Darren: many people were happy because landlords had to pay it not them.
@Craic_a_tower: that maybe the case but still very unfair on all the people who own their house or built it years ago and worked hard to pay for it then have to start paying for it again is a joke.. As for the water charges you don’t mind paying for something if its good and there is a massive amount of work put into it.. I worked on the water treatment plant in Ballymore Eustace.
All things aside there was more protests over Diesel as well when it was €1.60 now its €2 and no one is saying/doing anything about it… Had a friend home from Oz recently and he couldn’t believe how expensive Ireland is gone so that says alot as he’s in Sydney….
@Darren: it was more a kick in the face to me after paying 20k on stamp duty and still getting property tax
Fair play to them. People power. I’m only sorry I couldn’t be there. All my admiration and appreciation to all present.
The Housing shortage is a direct result of the policy that Governments adopted when they stopped building Council Houses. An ideology took hold where it was perceived that Council Estates would become Ghettos. What proof is there of this. There are some but the vast majority of Council Houses were and are occupied by hard working people.
@Aine O Connor: The lack of construction of corporation flats and council housing is nothing to do with the perceptions of them being ghettos.
It’s because in the last 40 years Ireland has gone from being a very poor country to one that has plenty of strong industry and opportunity. This took so many from poverty and allowed them to earn to pay for their own housing and grow our economy to a very strong standard. It’s by no means perfect though.
Unfortunately a global recession 12 odd years ago followed by covid , then this war have resulted in the scenario we are in today. It’s also very clear that this is a problem not unique to Ireland. Like the recession that began in 2008 it is a global issue. We’re too small to disconnect ourselves from this.
Government don’t have to worry about cost of living cause they have exorbitant salaries and expenses they not living in real world
@Pauline Cahill: Does that go for the politicians on the stand too. Was Mary Lou not flying Business Class to America and Australia, charging exorbitant prices for a seat at a table.. Don’t you see the irony of rich politicians preaching to the poor and struggling and trying to pretend they are struggling too.. Its all about getting re-elected.
Well Ciemen Bruke ? Can you confirm the formula The Journal uses to diminish protest turnouts ?
You journos seem to divide by 4 each time you publish figures .
So todays turnout we must take note will be four times the amount you claim .
Protest outside the Russian Embassy! Holding a march where 99.99% of people wont attend before the budget is just a stunt for the screachers, Richard, Mary, Paul etc…
Do we really expect this useless shower in government to give a stuff about the real ordinary people of this country? I don’t. They are too busy with their snouts in the personal money trough.
@Richard Starling: it’s thanks to the prudent management of the economy by the normal democratic parties in coalition that has resulted in such a large budget surplus, which will be used for large scale cost of living mitigation measures in next weeks budget
Marching to an empty dail on a Saturday……should be done during the week when their seating..might have a bit more effect..also what’s the point in protesting against someone who doesn’t care….bring the country to a stand still and they’ll probably take notice..
@Mark Harrison: Gotta start somewhere. If momentum carries then yeah it will be on the streets during work hours. Just like the water protests. Takes a few rallying calls to incite the big crowds against the government to make them think about some actual change. Peacefully I hope.
It’s the only way ppl power why should big corporate make crazy profits while people can’t aford to feed and provide basic essentials for there familys after working all week all the hours ,the government are elected by the people to serve the people look after our interests not big corporate / multi nationals
Weak effort!! All that was done here was waste a Saturday. You want people to take notice? then a complete walk out on a Monday morning and shutdown this country and trust me we’ll have action within hours. You think the government give 2 Fs about a few signs? Give me a break…..
The social contract between the government and the people is that they represent the majority , they are failing on every level and on that basis they do not represent us anymore and I am not on the far left of right just in common decency for the ordinary person
All the whiners out!
Everyone with a direct debit for gas and electric need to cancel it and then everyone needs to stop paying at the same time if you want an effective protest , then let them come back or realistic , at the moment the people are the grass and the rich are the lawnmowers
@Oliver Mahon: that’s what they call ‘not thinking things through.’
Thankfully, most people do.
Will be as many nutters protesting against the protesters
The Government willjust look out of their windows and say… Look at those fools and their protests…… Wont make 1 iota difference unless somebody organises something much more disruptive, like the French do.
Seems the crowd has Maryann’s number. All SF is good for is criticism. For once I would like them to publish a detailed plan describing the program they believe the government to follow in the tough times. We all know SF is incapable of governing. They are however good for sound bites and hollow promises.
It is a pity political and other groups turned up for this!! Should have been just average citizens showing how annoyed and angry we are at being let down by people “elected” to watch out for us.
SF have a Tory policy on supporting the cost of energy. Just a big endless open cheque book. Pay tomorrow not today. How about re-educating energy users to be prudent in the manner in which we use electricity. Now that is more sensible and reduces wastage and real costs.
@Irish big fellow: if they cap energy prices, it means everybody just keeps using it at the same rate they’re doing now. Clearly, that’s not what the country needs, apart from the cost of the SF/Tory proposal.
What about housing? Didnt see them march for this and to get rid of vultures.
@Maria Mcphillips: The cost of living affects people across the board, housing doesn’t. Either way, this shower aren’t doing nearly enough for the people.
Hopefully it’s peaceful,
Let me see if I have this right.
Those that pushed lockdowns and demanded people be arrested if they protested against vaccine mandates/passports and/or lockdowns now demand we protest against the very inflation they caused with their lockdowns.
Laughable if it wasn’t so sad that people think politicians give a sh!te about them. Wake up ffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Verners Tess: only one I’m laughing at is yourself seeing as you seem either not to be able to tell the difference between the reasons for the protests, or forgotten that since we now have vaccines, and that thankfully, the majority of people took them protecting themselves, allowing us to do this once again,
whereas those who wanted to protest against the mandate and passports were those who refused the vaccine in the first place, which if they had had their way, would have prevented the cost of living protests currently ongoing.
Hope that helps with your state of confusion.
@Verners Tess: Also, nearly forgot…
the lockdowns did not cause the inflation issue we are currently seeing, at least not on their own, in that they were the start of it qith the price increase late last year. Any price increases we saw due to them was done and dusted pretty much at the start of the year and barely noticable. The current inflation rate is due to the current energy crisis which in turn is due to the war in Ukraine and exaggerated by the price gouging that this country is well known for at this stage.
@Joe_X: Joe you cannot print endless amounts of money for zero productivity and expect no consequences. I fear you are 1 of these people that think the world should be run on feelings and not facts.
Also all of these politicians supported these lockdowns which were pure madness and now they moan the result
You wanted lockdowns, fine. Now it is time to pay for them.
Stopping the world from living in order to give the appearance of saving lives. Here is 1 of the results of that:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220916-1
You are confused if you think politicians give a damn about you and me.
The government’s gangsta so cut the crap
A war going on so where ya’ll at?
@Aidy McBride: it is in UKRAINE aparantly
Why protest about it just dont buy it. Why buy something you dont own
Funny how last week in Cork, they reported hundreds, not the thousands, that were there. If they are undercounting by as much, I wonder how many were really there yesterday!
have your say