ESB board seeks more information on report

THE board of the ESB yesterday failed to commit to the Government’s Energy White Paper because it said it needed more time to assess the implications for its value and commercial viability.

In a statement following the meeting of the board, it said a number of proposals in the white paper require “further exploration”.

When implemented, the white paper will see the transfer of the electricity transmission grid from the ESB to EirGrid. Unions feel that will devalue the company, will not create competition in the electricity market and so will not reduce prices for the consumer.

The ESB board said it welcomed the publication of an energy policy and said “it looked forward to helping to achieve the ambitious targets set out for renewables, as well as implementing critical strategies relating to the single electricity market”.

It also said it supported any policy that has the effect of delivering a safe, secure electricity supply at the most reasonable cost to the customer.

However, it added: “ESB board notes that the white paper is a complex and detailed document, containing proposals that have potentially major implications for the company.

“In order to fully inform itself of the extent and impact of these proposals, the board is seeking additional information clarifying how some of the proposed new arrangements might influence the value and commercial viability of ESB.”

It said it would hold a full meeting on the paper in May.

The unions representing ESB workers have said they will ballot their members for industrial action if the Government tries to implement the paper. One of the unions, the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, said the document was in serious trouble if the Government could not persuade a Government-appointed board to accept its proposals.