Unions: Government plan means ESB cannot make a profit

THE Government has said it believes the ESB’s future is as a world leader in environmentally friendly energy utilities, but unions at the company claim that is impossible under restrictive plans for the energy market.

Under the government energy white paper, the ESB is to lose its ownership of the grid and is to see its share of the electricity market reduced below 40% by 2010 to allow for competition. Workers, and some sources within the company’s hierarchy, have intimated the paper will turn the electricity company into an unprofitable basket case entity.

Speaking as Ireland’s electricity market became an all-island affair, Energy Minister Eamon Ryan said he saw a “hugely positive and crucial role” for the ESB in the development of energy in this country.