Ryan postpones ESB system switch

ENERGY Minister Eamon Ryan has postponed his predecessor’s plans to transfer the ESB’s electricity transmission system to EirGrid, staving off the threat of strike action by sector trade unions.

EirGrid operates the transmission system, but ESB owns the assets and Mr Ryan said that should remain the case until an independent chairperson is appointed.

The break-up of the ESB and transfer of transmission had been a key aspect of the energy white paper Noel Dempsey introduced last year as energy minister.