Wind energy group Airtricity has announced today is leaving the residential sector due to what it terms as a failure of the Government to promote competition in the electricity supply sector.
According to Airtricity, about 11,000 customers will be affected, and the company has written to then advising them to make alternative arrangements.
Airtricity blamed the moratorium on connecting new wind farms to the National Grid, imposed by the Regulator in December 2003, as a key reason for the decision.
Mark Ennis, chief executive of Airtricity stated: "We are disappointed that we have been forced to take this decision. . . . We have been failed by the electricity market rules which have not provided a framework for any form of effective competition in the market."
The company earlier this year revealed its plan to build four new wind farms.