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The Electricity Supply Board (ESB), (Irish: Bord Soláthar Leictreachais) often called ESB Ireland to differentiate it with US utilities, is responsible for generating most of the electricity in the Republic of Ireland. The ESB have currently three interconnectors with Northern Ireland Electricity, the Irish Government has recently approved the proposed East-West Interconnector between Ireland and Wales. The ESB was established by the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1927 (http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1927_27.html) to manage Ireland's electricity supply after the successful Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha, since then the ESB has had a major effect on socio-economic life in Ireland.
Standards
The Shannon Scheme was the start of the ESB's reliance on German electro-technology, especially for plant, in particular Siemens and the associated 220 volt supply. Domestic equipment followed the UK British Standards for the most part with very few exceptions, perhaps the only been that Irish bathrooms generally do not have cord operated light but rather a traditional light-switch outside.
Facilities
There is no nuclear power element, there was however an Act of the Oireachtas in 1971 created the Nuclear Energy Board and later there was a proposal and preparatory works at Carnsore Point but these never resulted in an operational plant. The Ardnacrusha hydroelectric scheme and Turlough Hill pumped storage scheme, are significant renewable energy plants. There are additional hydroelectric schemes on the rivers Clady, Erne, Lee and Liffey. Additional capacity is provided by, among others, peat, coal, oil and wind generation. Moneypoint and Poolbeg are the two most significant fossil fuel power stations, their combined capacity accounts for over a third of total capacity. Much of the peat is supplied by Bord na Móna whilst Bord Gáis supplies gas via its network.
Companies
Today the ESB consists of several distinct divisions; ESB Power Generation is responsible for electricity generation and has 19 power stations and a wind power subsidiary; ESB International (ESBI) manages projects abroad in the electricity supply, generation and distribution markets; ESB Networks manages the National Grid, and also transmits energy from other suppliers, including Airtricity.; ESBI Computing manages large government and international information technology projects.
See Also
External Link
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