Deputy Michael Lowry and the Regional Group of TDs are to put forward Emergency Legislation in respect of the energy crisis. The group is seeking Legislation that would include a ban on any threat to turn off the electricity supply to domestic customers and critical social infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, nursing homes, etc. In addition, Data Centres and other high energy users should be directed to use their emergency backup generators at all times of peak electricity demand. The TD Group also want the immediate reopening of the 250 megawatts of power generation at the Midland Power Stations in Lanesboro and Shannonbridge, to be fuelled by biomass with the biomass supplies supplemented by an immediate suspension of the requirement for licences for the felling and thinning of forestry.
The group also ask for the Re-commissioning of the Derrybrien Wind Farm and for profits to be ring fenced all for a local community & environmental benefit fund. ESB is currently decommissioning this plant as it breached EU planning regulations and cost the state €17million euros in fines.
Deputy Lowry’s group want the measures to be put in place for 3 years until the current electricity supply crisis is solved.
The group also wants reform of the EU energy market – including the immediate decoupling of the link between gas prices and electricity prices, which are inflating electricity prices whether generated by natural gas or not.
The group also wants the State to construct a natural gas storage facility.
Finally, the group wants an Energy Support Scheme for businesses as some businesses are experiencing a 200% – 300% increase in utility costs.
