Northern Ireland Electricity
Encyclopedia
Northern Ireland Electricity Limited (NIE) is the electricity
asset owner of the transmission and distribution infrastructure in Northern Ireland
. NIE does not own generate or supply electricity. NIE is a subsidiary of ESB Group.
NIE has three transmission interconnectors with the Electricity Supply Board
transmission grid in the Republic of Ireland
. The main interconnector with the Republic of Ireland was built in 1970 between Tandragee and Louth
but "the Troubles
" saw the interconnector destroyed in 1975 and left in that state for twenty years until repair.
NIE should not be confused with Power NI, its own former supply business, which was not part of the sale to the ESB and remains owned by Viridian. NIE Energy intends to change its name to Power NI on 25 July 2011, as ESB will be retaining the NIE name in Northern Ireland.
During the Ulster Workers' Council strike
in 1974, when electricity supplies were severely disrupted, the government considered generating power using Royal Navy nuclear submarines in Belfast Lough but the idea was abandoned as being technically unfeasible.
In 1991, the company was incorporated as a government-owned public limited company, Northern Ireland Electricity plc. In 1992 the four power stations at Belfast Harbour, Ballylumford
, Coolkeeragh
and Carrickfergus (Kilroot)
were demerged and sold. In 1993 the remainder of NIE (transmission, supply and retail businesses) was privatised as Northern Ireland Electricity plc. In 1998, Northern Ireland Electricity plc became part of Viridian Group plc, with Northern Ireland Electricity now a subsidiary of that holding company
. Northern Ireland Electricity supplies electricity to approximately 740,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland.
NIE has often been criticised for having the most expensive electricity in Europe. This is attributed to a number of factors including the small population of Northern Ireland and the large areas of thinly populated countryside the company is required to serve and the network's over-dependence on oil-fired generation. The lack of competition
in the Northern Ireland market is also undoubtedly a factor, although the introduction of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) in Ireland
in late 2007 was designed to address this.
NIE sold SONI, the operator of the transmission network to EirGrid
in March 2009 for £30 million.
In 2008 NIE sponsored a new solar roof for Straidhavern Primary School
through its Smart programme.
In May 2010 NIE Energy Supply announced that it will be running a scheme to help farmers afford solar power water heaters.
On 7 July 2010 BBC News reported that ESB is to purchase NIE for £1 billion. On 21 September 2010 it was revealed unionist politicians (Peter Robinson
and Reg Empey
), had written to the Taoiseach
objecting to the transaction. They said it was "inappropriate" and that it amounted to the purchase of a "key component" of Northern Ireland's infrastructure . ESB is a statutory corporation
in the Republic of Ireland
whose board members are appointed by the Irish government
; while unionists oppose the prospect of a united Ireland
.
Electricity
Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...
asset owner of the transmission and distribution infrastructure in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. NIE does not own generate or supply electricity. NIE is a subsidiary of ESB Group.
NIE has three transmission interconnectors with the Electricity Supply Board
Electricity Supply Board
The Electricity Supply Board , is a semi-state electricity company in Ireland. While historically a monopoly, the ESB now operates as a commercial semi-state concern in a liberalised and competitive market...
transmission grid in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. The main interconnector with the Republic of Ireland was built in 1970 between Tandragee and Louth
County Louth
County Louth is a county of Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Louth. Louth County Council is the local authority for the county...
but "the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
" saw the interconnector destroyed in 1975 and left in that state for twenty years until repair.
NIE should not be confused with Power NI, its own former supply business, which was not part of the sale to the ESB and remains owned by Viridian. NIE Energy intends to change its name to Power NI on 25 July 2011, as ESB will be retaining the NIE name in Northern Ireland.
History
In 1973 the Northern Ireland Electricity Service (NIES) was formed as a public utility to generate, transmit and supply electricity to Northern Ireland.During the Ulster Workers' Council strike
Ulster Workers' Council Strike
The Ulster Workers' Council strike was a general strike that took place in Northern Ireland between 15 May and 28 May 1974, during "The Troubles". The strike was called by loyalists and unionists who were against the Sunningdale Agreement, which had been signed in December 1973...
in 1974, when electricity supplies were severely disrupted, the government considered generating power using Royal Navy nuclear submarines in Belfast Lough but the idea was abandoned as being technically unfeasible.
In 1991, the company was incorporated as a government-owned public limited company, Northern Ireland Electricity plc. In 1992 the four power stations at Belfast Harbour, Ballylumford
Ballylumford power station
Ballylumford power station is a natural gas-fired power station in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. With its main plant generating 600 megawatts of electricity, it is Northern Ireland's largest power station and provides half of the country's power. Overall the station produces 1316MW...
, Coolkeeragh
Coolkeeragh power station
Coolkeeragh power station is a power station near Derry in Northern Ireland.The station produces 400 megawatts from a gas fired combined cycle power plant, constructed on the site of the old Coolkeeragh power station...
and Carrickfergus (Kilroot)
Kilroot
Kilroot is a townland in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies to the east of Eden, on the outskirts of Carrickfergus on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. It is within the Carrickfergus Borough Council area.-History:...
were demerged and sold. In 1993 the remainder of NIE (transmission, supply and retail businesses) was privatised as Northern Ireland Electricity plc. In 1998, Northern Ireland Electricity plc became part of Viridian Group plc, with Northern Ireland Electricity now a subsidiary of that holding company
Holding company
A holding company is a company or firm that owns other companies' outstanding stock. It usually refers to a company which does not produce goods or services itself; rather, its purpose is to own shares of other companies. Holding companies allow the reduction of risk for the owners and can allow...
. Northern Ireland Electricity supplies electricity to approximately 740,000 homes and businesses in Northern Ireland.
NIE has often been criticised for having the most expensive electricity in Europe. This is attributed to a number of factors including the small population of Northern Ireland and the large areas of thinly populated countryside the company is required to serve and the network's over-dependence on oil-fired generation. The lack of competition
Competition
Competition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
in the Northern Ireland market is also undoubtedly a factor, although the introduction of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in late 2007 was designed to address this.
NIE sold SONI, the operator of the transmission network to EirGrid
Eirgrid
EirGrid plc is the state-owned electric power transmission operator in the Republic of Ireland. It is a public limited company registered under the Companies Acts; Its shares are held by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources who appoints the board and the Minister for Finance...
in March 2009 for £30 million.
In 2008 NIE sponsored a new solar roof for Straidhavern Primary School
Straidhavern Primary School
Straidhavern Primary School is a school that is located in Crumlin, Northern Ireland. The address for the school is: Straidhavern Primary School, 3 Straidhavern Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin BT29 4SN They have been commended for being the first school in Antrim County to go solar.-School...
through its Smart programme.
In May 2010 NIE Energy Supply announced that it will be running a scheme to help farmers afford solar power water heaters.
On 7 July 2010 BBC News reported that ESB is to purchase NIE for £1 billion. On 21 September 2010 it was revealed unionist politicians (Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson (politician)
Peter David Robinson is the current First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party...
and Reg Empey
Reg Empey
Reginald Norman Morgan Empey, Baron Empey of Shandon, OBE, – known as Sir Reg Empey prior to 2011 – is a former Leader of the Ulster Unionist Party and Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for East Belfast...
), had written to the Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
objecting to the transaction. They said it was "inappropriate" and that it amounted to the purchase of a "key component" of Northern Ireland's infrastructure . ESB is a statutory corporation
Statutory Corporation
A statutory corporation or public body is a corporation created by statute. While artificial legal personality is almost always the result of statutory intervention, a statutory corporation does not include corporations owned by shareholders whose legal personality derives from being registered...
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
whose board members are appointed by the Irish government
Irish Government
The Government of Ireland is the cabinet that exercises executive authority in Ireland.-Members of the Government:Membership of the Government is regulated fundamentally by the Constitution of Ireland. The Government is headed by a prime minister called the Taoiseach...
; while unionists oppose the prospect of a united Ireland
United Ireland
A united Ireland is the term used to refer to the idea of a sovereign state which covers all of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. The island of Ireland includes the territory of two independent sovereign states: the Republic of Ireland, which covers 26 counties of the island, and the...
.
See also
- List of Irish companies
- Energy policy of the United KingdomEnergy policy of the United KingdomThe current energy policy of the United Kingdom is set out in the Energy White Paper of May 2007 and Low Carbon Transition Plan of July 2009, building on previous work including the 2003 Energy White Paper and the Energy Review Report in 2006...
- Energy use and conservation in the United KingdomEnergy use and conservation in the United KingdomEnergy use in the United Kingdom stood at 3,894.6 kilogrammes of oil equivalent per capita in 2005 compared to a world average of 1,778.0. In 2008, total energy consumed was 9.85 exajoules - around 2% of the estimated 474 EJ worldwide total...
- Green electricity in the United KingdomGreen electricity in the United KingdomThere are a number of suppliers offering 'green' electricity in the United Kingdom, either supplying electricity from existing environmentally friendly energy sources, promising to invest a proportion of profits into new renewable energy generating capacity, carrying out carbon offsetting, or some...
- Electricity sector in Ireland