All Island Electricity Grid Study
In July 2005 the Governments of Ireland and Northern Ireland jointly issued a preliminary consultation paper on an all-island '2020 Vision' for renewable energy. The paper sought views on the development of a joint strategy for the provision of renewable energy sourced electricity within the All-island Energy Market leading up to 2020 and beyond, so that consumers, North and South, continue to benefit from access to sustainable energy supplies provided at a competitive cost. It is within the context of the All-island Energy Market Development Framework agreed by Ministers in November 2004 and the undertaking to develop a Single Electricity Market that views were sought on how the electricity infrastructure on the island might best develop to allow the maximum penetration of renewable energy.
The consultation paper identified that further information was required on the resource potential for different RES-E technologies on the island of Ireland in 2020, the extent to which partially dispatchable and non-dispatchable generation can be accommodated, network development options and the economic implications of the policy options outlined within the paper.
A working group was established to specify and oversee the completion of studies that would provide more detailed information on the above issues. The working group recommended an "All Island Grid Study" comprised of 4 work-streams.
This ground-breaking report was published in January 2008. The most advanced and comprehensive of its kind in the world, the study examines:
- a range of generation portfolios for Ireland,
- the ability of our power system to handle various amounts of electricity from renewable sources,
- the investment levels required, and
- the climate change and security of supply benefits that would accrue.
Final Report on the All-Island Grid Study
Printed versions of Workstream 1, Workstream 4 and the Overview document are available from this Department. A CD-ROM containing Workstream 1, Workstream 2a, Workstream 2b, Workstream 3, Workstream 4 and the Overview document is also available on request.
If you wish to obtain any of the above, please contact frank.fagan@dcenr.gov.ie or Tel: 353 1-678 2935.
All Island Renewable Grid Study - Update to include Demand Side Management
Grid Study update to include DSM 
(1Mb) Published 31 July 2009