Latest news with #PowerCuts
Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Failure to provide gas storage puts Ireland at risk of major power outages, EY says
Power cuts like those seen in Spain and Portugal could be a danger for Ireland if the Government does not provide for storing natural gas, according to a leading industry figure. This State has no natural gas storage, or a liquefied natural gas ( LNG ) terminal, despite relying on the fuel to generate close to half of all electricity. The Republic ultimately risks 'interruptions to supply' of this key energy source if it does not deal with this question sooner rather than later, Sean Casey, industrials and energy industry leader at EY said. Natural gas generates 40 per cent of Irish electricity, Mr Casey noted, with the State importing 80 per cent of its natural gas via the UK. Its only home-grown source of the fuel, the Corrib field, is dwindling. READ MORE He warns that we recently saw in Iberia what interruptions specifically to electricity supplies can do. 'An interruption in supply would be catastrophic for some industries and some businesses, but ultimately that is what you are trying to avoid,' Mr Casey says. He stresses that he is neutral about what option Government chooses but argues that the State needs a gas reserve. 'Ultimately I would like to see us get on and do that, whichever project is put forward.' New figures from national grid operator EirGrid show that more than 52 per cent of electricity used here in July was generated by burning fossil fuels, most of which was natural gas. The Republic imported about 15 per cent from Britain. Mr Casey supports Climate Action Plan aims to electrify heat and transport but says natural gas will continue to play a big part in aiding the Republic's move to renewable energy. Darragh O'Brien , Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, recently announced plans to oblige businesses selling oil and gas for heating to include renewable fuels in their supplies. Mr Casey argues that this is a welcome move and says the Republic should push on with plans to increase the use of renewable gas. The State has a modern gas network comprising 14,000km of pipelines, run by Gas Networks Ireland (GNI), where Mr Casey was chief executive for three years. He maintains that the State should continue to use this as it continues the transition to green energy. Mr Casey held senior posts in Irish energy companies and utilities for several decades, including GNI, its one-time parent, Ervia, the ESB and Bord Gáis Energy. The main challenge facing businesses he now advises in the industry is getting projects through the Republic's planning process to completion. Energy prices remain a key concern for Irish business. One of the State's biggest employers, microchip maker Intel, recently warned the Government that high prices threaten the Republic's ability to lure job-creating investment. Prices have fallen since the surges in 2021 and following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, they still remain high relative to what they were before that period, while energy has never been cheap here. 'I do not see any major reduction [in price] right now, but nor do we see any spikes but that is contingent on factors that are out of our control,' says Mr Casey. On the plus side, he notes that stability is as important to many EY clients as the actual price. 'A real understanding of where it is going will allow them to make the decisions they need to make as they move forward,' he says.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
Storm Floris live: Rail disruption likely to continue for another day after 90mph winds hit UK
Rail disruption is set to continue into Tuesday after Storm Floris battered the UK with 90mph winds on Monday, causing trains cancellations and mass power cuts. Trains, flights, and ferries were cancelled on Monday amid danger to life warnings from the Met Office. Network Rail warned that travel disruption will continue into Tuesday following 'severe' impacts on Scotland 's railways - with ScotRail saying there has been 'extensive damage' on its routes. Amber and yellow wind warnings across much of Scotland, northern England, northern Ireland and northern Wales were due to be lifted by 12am, when a yellow wind warning will come into force in Orkney until 8am. On Monday, more than 43,000 properties were left without electricity in the Highlands and north-east of Scotland this afternoon, operators said. Network Rail Scotland has posted maps showing wind speeds in excess of 90mph, while the Met Office has recorded highs of 82mph. Events such as the Edinburgh Fringe are monitoring the situation, but a military parade has been cancelled. An Oasis concert in the Scottish capital is still scheduled to go ahead. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024/25 season. Storm damage is 'extensive', says ScotRail Damage by Storm Floris on railways in Scotland is 'extensive', ScotRail has said. Work will soon begin to recover a number of routes which have been put out of action. 'The damage caused by the storm has been extensive, including trees falling onto overhead wires and tracks,' ScotRail said on X. 'Network Rail will soon begin work to recover the railway, as a number of routes will need to be inspected once the storm has passed and then repair work carried out. 'While some checks will be carried out later tonight, further inspections will be needed during daylight hours, which will cause disruption to services on some routes on Tuesday morning.' Alex Croft5 August 2025 05:01 EasyJet 900-mile 'flight to nowhere' as pilots abandon landing at Inverness Our travel correspondent Simon Calder has reported that a pilot was forced to abandon a landing in Scotland. An easyJet flight from Luton to Inverness flew 900 miles on an 'flight to nowhere'. Flight 632 took off from the Bedfordshire airport just before 12 noon and flew normally at 36,000 feet to the Scottish airport. But at just 2,000 feet above the ground, the pilots of the Airbus A319 decided to abandon the landing, and flew back to Luton. After a total of 2 hours and 25 minutes in the air, the plane touched down back at its starting place. Passengers were told: 'Strong winds in Inverness are preventing aircraft from arriving and departing. The safety of you and our crew is our highest priority and we thank you for your understanding.' Under air passengers' rights rules, travellers must be flown to their destination as soon as possible on any airline. The aviation data analyst, Cirium, has confirmed research by The Independent that Belfast City and Aberdeen are the airports worst affected by Storm Floris. At Belfast City, 10 departures and 11 arrivals have been grounded. At Aberdeen, 12 departures have been cancelled – but only six arrivals are axed. Alex Croft5 August 2025 04:01 In pictures: Heavy winds wreak havoc in Edinburgh Alex Croft5 August 2025 03:02 Campervans have been blown over on A87 road on Isle of Skye A number of campervans earlier blew over on the A87 road, which leads to Portree on the Isle of Skye, as Storm Floris hit Scotland. Police are advising drivers to stay away from the Bealach na Ba road in Wester Ross due to the high rinds. Police Scotland said: 'We have received multiple reports of campervans being blown over on the A87 between Broadford and Portree due to high winds caused by Storm Floris. 'We are advising motorists not to travel on the Bealach na Ba road and anyone with campervans should remain parked in sheltered areas until the wind speed reduces.' Alex Croft5 August 2025 01:29 Travellers face 'nine cancellations' Passengers stuck at Glasgow Central train station are facing hours of disruption and as many as nine cancellations, they told the PA news agency. Robert Kusz, 70, and Paul Audoire, 59, had enjoyed a caravan holiday with relatives when they were delayed at Glasgow Central. Their previous plan was to travel to Preston and change to Blackpool. Mr Kusz told the PA news agency: 'There has been about nine cancellations. 'If we can get connecting trains we could get to Blackpool by 4.30pm. 'It will add a couple of hours to the journey, maybe two-and-a-half hours.' Mr Audoire said: 'The weather is not as bad as we thought, they are just taking precautions. 'We need to get off at Carlisle, wait for another train, get off at Preston and change trains again. 'I don't know how long we need to wait at Carlisle or at Preston. It's just a case of leapfrogging all the way.' Alex Croft5 August 2025 00:01 Mapped: Rain largely clears from UK on Tuesday as Storm Floris moves east Alex Croft4 August 2025 23:14 Met Office records top wind speed of 82mph Alex Croft4 August 2025 22:27 More than 43,000 homes without power in Scotland More than 43,000 homes in Scotland were out of supply as of earlier this evening, according to the lates update from Scottish & Southern Electricity Network (SSEN). At around 7pm, 9,000 homes had been reconnected. Alex Croft4 August 2025 22:17 Students will see exam results delayed due to storm There will be delays to the delivery of some exam results in island communities as a result of Storm Floris, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has said. With results due on Tuesday, the SQA said deliveries to the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland will be delayed due to the adverse weather. The SQA said students should contact their school or college in the first instance who should be able to help them. Alex Croft4 August 2025 22:06 Mapped: Yellow wind warning to come into force on Tuesday The only remaining weather warning due to Storm Floris is a yellow wind warning in Orkney, which will be in place from 12am to 8am on Tuesday. 'Very strong northwesterly winds, including gusts of 50 to 70 mph, in the wake of Storm Floris will ease across Orkney early on Tuesday and then slowly wane a little over Shetland during Tuesday morning,' the Met Office said. It warns of potential travel delays and power losses in the affected region.
