Ireland-Britain Interconnector Rules Waste 30% of Wind Energy, Says Industry Body

Electricity market rules favoring power lines connecting Ireland to Britain are forcing the curtailment of renewable power supplies, according to Wind Energy Ireland (WEI). These rules, governing three interconnectors, stipulate power flow from cheaper jurisdictions (mostly Britain) to more expensive ones (Ireland).

WEI Chief Executive Noel Cunniffe stated that this daily operation obliges national grid operators in the Republic and Northern Ireland to stop some wind farms and other renewable producers from supplying electricity, leading to significant waste. In Northern Ireland, up to 20% to 30% of available wind-powered electricity can be shut off. In the Republic, up to 12% of green electricity is blocked.

Cunniffe attributes part of the problem in the North to delays in building a proposed high-capacity power line between counties Meath and Tyrone, a project planned two decades ago. This line would allow more wind farms to ship electricity south and reduce overall prices. System Operator Northern Ireland is developing an action plan, confirmed Paddy Larkin, CEO of Mutual Energy, which owns the Moyle Interconnector. Larkin noted this is not a new issue and is tied to European-wide industry rules.

EirGrid, the Republic’s grid operator, confirmed the north-south power line is a strategic priority and that interconnector flows have increased imports. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities also noted EU rules govern interconnector operations. Cunniffe called for long-duration batteries to store excess renewable electricity and more efficient power plants to mitigate the issue.