Bord Gais should offer better deal for electricity

I WISH to congratulate Caroline O’Doherty for her excellent article on the timely challenge by Bord Gais (BG) to the ESB (February 19).

Thu, 26 Feb, 2009 - 00:00

Letters

Her explanation as to how the challenge is possible is confined to the situation which will exist when BG’s new gas-fired station comes on stream in 2011.

In the meantime, BG is purchasing electricity (some of which is generated by the ESB) on the wholesale market and it is well known this should enable it to give discounts considerably greater than the 10% on offer.

The energy regulator (for whom a reduction in the electricity price seems secondary to putting manners on ESB unions) will not permit ESB to respond. In circumstances where thousands of our fellow-citizens become unemployed every week, there is a clear onus on the Government to oblige BG further to reduce their charges for electricity.

The relief would last for 18 months at most, but it would be a very welcome help to those who badly need it.

Denis O’Donovan

Rockboro Road

Cork