Electricity system operators in Great Britain, Ireland and Northern Ireland have signed a new agreement to strengthen cooperation as they work to deliver decarbonised power systems while maintaining security of supply and affordable energy for consumers.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the National Energy System Operator, EirGrid and SONI was signed in Cork and focuses on closer collaboration to manage electricity networks with higher levels of renewable generation.
The partnership will also support joint work on system planning, modelling and resilience as demand for electricity grows.
Operators said the agreement will help them share expertise on integrating large energy users such as ports, data centres and heavy industry, as electrification increases across the economy.
The organisations will also work together on future scenario planning to ensure networks remain stable as renewable capacity expands.
The announcement comes as the UK and Ireland continue discussions on closer energy cooperation, including progress on new interconnectors linking the two countries. One proposed link between Wales and Ireland could supply electricity to around 570,000 homes, while a separate connection between Northern Ireland and Ireland is expected to help reduce costs on both sides of the border.
Fintan Slye, Chief Executive of the National Energy System Operator, said regional cooperation is essential to maintaining secure electricity supplies as the transition to renewables accelerates.
EirGrid Chief Executive Cathal Marley said the operators face similar challenges in decarbonising their systems, while SONI Chief Executive Alan Campbell added that stronger collaboration will help speed up renewable integration and support the move to net zero power.
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