Ahern to prevent windfall gains for power companies

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Dermot Ahern, has said he is to prevent windfall gains for power companies arising from trading in CO2 emissions, to ensure there is no major increase in the price of electricity for consumers.

Ahern told the Dáil he intends preventing power companies securing such gains, arising from the free allocation of emissions allowances under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which would have the effect of driving up the price of electricity.