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IRELAND IS TO face “significant” electricity supply issues over the coming years, according to a new report from the Irish grid operator.
In its latest annual Generation Capacity Statement, EirGrid has predicted electricity capacity deficits within the next ten years.
These deficits are set to be seen sharply in the short term in particular, with EirGrid saying that this is due to the deteriorating availability of some power plants, leaving them unavailable ahead of their planned retirement dates.
The operator has said that the number of system alerts will likely increase, particularly with generators leaving the market.
“The number of system alerts will increase as our economy grows, electricity generators exit the market and demand increases, with significant new additional demand from the heat and transport sectors as they are electrified,” said Mark Foley, EirGrid chief executive.
EirGrid itself says that a system alert is “not an unusual event”, however the operator says that they are more likely to occur “in the winter months when demand for electricity is at its highest”.
The report highlights that current power plant capacity is “poor”, with some power plants that were scheduled to close in September 2023 set to be unavailable for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023.
This is set to remove 590MW of power from the Irish grid.
The report also notes that 630MW of forecasted generation never arrived onto the grid, after contracted providers pulled out.
“This means that most new capacity that was expected to come online over the coming years has now withdrawn,” said EirGrid.
The report also mentions the procurement of 650MW of temporary electricity generation at two seperate plants, which Foley says is at “an advanced stage”.
The Journal previously reported that the temporary plant in North Dublin is expected to be in operation for up to five years to help address Ireland’s electricity shortfall.
EirGrid had initially sought to have these plants operational in 2022, with Foley telling RTÉ Radio One this morning that the sites will be in place in 2023.
EirGrid also expects the electricity demand from data centres to rise higher than previous forecasts due to “strong growth” in the sector.
The report anticipates that overall electricity demand will increase by 37% by 2031, with demand from residential, commercial and industry set to remain “relatively consistent”, while there will be major growth from data centres and new large electricity users.
This includes the expected increased uptake in electric vehicles and heat pumps.
In particular, EirGrid is forecasting that, by 2031, 28% of all electricity demand will come from data centres and other large electricity users.
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Is there any part of the public service that has had investment and is doing well. For a country that on the surface has been applauding itself for years it seems scratch a little and it’s a shambles. It’s hugely disheartening. The fact that we have the lowest level of unemployment in years point you the fact that people are working very hard but someone else is profiting.
@dottiemac: hit the nail on the head Dottie. We are a country of money hungry people. It’s all profit profit profit. Invest nothing, increase the price of everything, grab grab grab. Time and time and time again we are found out as a country. Invest nothing in water, invest little or nothing in infrastructure, invest little or nothing in housing, invest little or nothing in defence, invest little or nothing in the navy then when the shat hits the fan we’re running around looking for our tails. Ohh wait what’s the famous governmental line LESSONS WILL BE LEARNED!!!
More data centres needed.
It’s simple the government closed OUR own power plants 1st and then noticed we had no back up. Like what’s going to happen with ban on oil and gas heating system
Why don’t they increase the prices even more to rectify this.
@Graham McNamara: agree:-( Nothing like keeping those shareholders one step ahead of the game!!
Let’s add another 100000 or so ev’s just to kill off supply completely..
With a reckless government in charge it’s not surprising. They want more datacenters and more people
Governments are management companies, just as parents manage the household and the kids. If parents were acting as the government is…the kids would surely be taken into care.
We’re going Full South Africa..
4 hours a day and zero electricity for the rest
By far the worst government in the history of the state.
@Fergal McDonagh: What is the root cause? Is the general instruction from the top: “don’t be telling me bad news ya langer”
Bloomin heck!!!!!! If broadband didn’t need electricity I’d be fine, but like, no broadband????? NOOOOOOOO!!!!
@Anna Carr: I think I’d rather cook a meal for my kids and keep them warm.
@Terry Fagan: I was thinking of getting the kids’ bikes set up as generators for the free electricity, maybe sell some back to the grid.
Win win situation ;-)
@Terry Fagan: use gas
@Anna Carr: No broadband, No Shehulk!
@John Smith: Great idea, make it so they can only power their games consoles from it!
@Paddy Cullen AIWS: you really thought long and hard before you posted that didn’t you?
Recent developments in the nuclear power industry allow small modular reactors (SMRs) to be mass-produced at relatively low cost (Not sure about Ireland :) ) and deployed quickly and safely, making the nuclear option more attractive.
@Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown: In terms of sourcing uranium, do you still have contact with any Libyans?
@Phil Mc Donald: Great Scott !!!!
@Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown:
Japan agrees with you. ! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Ff0Fg4mTI
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