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| Electricity: NI could face blackouts by 2024, officials say | Electricity: NI could face blackouts by 2024, officials say |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Northern Ireland could face electricity blackouts in 2024 and 2025 unless action is taken, the grid operator has warned. | Northern Ireland could face electricity blackouts in 2024 and 2025 unless action is taken, the grid operator has warned. |
| The details are contained in the annual capacity statement from System Operator NI (SONI). | The details are contained in the annual capacity statement from System Operator NI (SONI). |
| SONI says the issue centres on Kilroot power station and environmental permits which limit its operating hours. | SONI says the issue centres on Kilroot power station and environmental permits which limit its operating hours. |
| The organisation says it is working with the Department for the Economy and the regulator to address the issue. | The organisation says it is working with the Department for the Economy and the regulator to address the issue. |
| Kilroot is currently a coal-fired power station but is due to convert to gas turbine generation over the next few years. | Kilroot is currently a coal-fired power station but is due to convert to gas turbine generation over the next few years. |
| Coal-fired power stations are effectively being regulated out of existence for environmental reasons but Kilroot, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim, had special operating dispensation during the pandemic. | Coal-fired power stations are effectively being regulated out of existence for environmental reasons but Kilroot, near Carrickfergus in County Antrim, had special operating dispensation during the pandemic. |
| Kilroot power station: Russia coal change rule 'within days' | Kilroot power station: Russia coal change rule 'within days' |
| Kilroot to become gas-fired power station | Kilroot to become gas-fired power station |
| SONI said: "At present, the plant needs to operate at a reduced generation capacity following the expiration of the Covid-19 Regulatory Position Statement; they do this to manage and comply with their most recent environmental permit. | SONI said: "At present, the plant needs to operate at a reduced generation capacity following the expiration of the Covid-19 Regulatory Position Statement; they do this to manage and comply with their most recent environmental permit. |
| "The reduction in coal plant output reduces Northern Ireland short term adequacy surplus." | "The reduction in coal plant output reduces Northern Ireland short term adequacy surplus." |
| EP Kilroot said it was engaging with all regulatory authorities to attempt to find solutions to the security of supply issues which have been raised. | |
| Kilroot Power Station is planning to convert to gas turbine generation by 2026 | Kilroot Power Station is planning to convert to gas turbine generation by 2026 |
| In addition, Kilroot's new gas turbine system won't be fully operational until 2026. | In addition, Kilroot's new gas turbine system won't be fully operational until 2026. |
| Environmental permits mean the new turbines will only be able to run for an average of 1,500 hours per year in 2024 and 2025. | Environmental permits mean the new turbines will only be able to run for an average of 1,500 hours per year in 2024 and 2025. |
| The situation is exacerbated in 2025 as four older "peaking" units are unavailable due to maintenance. | The situation is exacerbated in 2025 as four older "peaking" units are unavailable due to maintenance. |
| Once the new gas turbines are fully operational in 2026 the system will return to surplus. | Once the new gas turbines are fully operational in 2026 the system will return to surplus. |
| One option to deal with the shortfall would be to allow Kilroot to temporarily derogate from its environmental permits though the legality and cost of that is unclear. | One option to deal with the shortfall would be to allow Kilroot to temporarily derogate from its environmental permits though the legality and cost of that is unclear. |
| 'Northern Ireland's energy needs are protected' | |
| A spokesman for EP Kilroot said the company noted the publication of the All-Island Generation Capacity Statement 2022-2031 by SONI and was currently reviewing the contents of the document.' | |
| ''We will continue to positively engage with all regulatory authorities to attempt to find solutions to the security of supply issues which have been raised,'' he added. | |
| A spokesperson for the Department for the Economy said security of the supply of electricity in Northern Ireland was a "key priority". | |
| "We are working in partnership with SONI, the Utility Regulator and other key stakeholders to address these issues," the spokesperson said. | |
| "This work remains ongoing and we are determined to ensure all aspects of Northern Ireland's energy needs are protected," the spokesperson added. |