Company bidding to secure electricity deal criticises lack of efficiency regulations

AUGHINISH Alumina, one of seven companies bidding to generate new electricity generating plants, believes the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) has missed an environmental opportunity.

The CER, trying to address a projected shortfall in generation capacity in 2005, is looking for a maximum of 400 megawatts of new power supply by then.

The seven companies can either bid to supply the total 400MW or for smaller amounts and the CER will decide how many companies to award contracts to.

Aughinish Alumina is one of three bidders who have secured planning permission for power stations.

It proposes a super efficient Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which will provide 110MW of electricity to the ESB, 40MW for its own use and sufficient steam to run its alumina production process.

Aughinish Alumina technical director Sean Garland said: “Aughinish Alumina is disappointed that the recently announced Competition for New Electricity Generation Capacity takes no account of the energy efficiency and environmental benefits of CHP facilities.

In the context of Ireland’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol, this is a missed opportunity.”

The chosen providers will get a 10-year contract potentially worth over €1.4 billion, the CER said.