Electricity market sees further liberalisation

More than half of Ireland's electricity market will be open to competition by the middle of next month, the Minister for Communications…

More than half of Ireland's electricity market will be open to competition by the middle of next month, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources announced today.

Mr Dermot Ahern said that from February 19th, 56 per cent of the market will be opened up and it will be fully open to competition within two years.

"This will, I believe, help underpin the future competitiveness of the Irish economy," Mr Ahern said.

The further liberalisation of the electricity market will allow a further 12,000 industrial and commercial customers to source their electricity from independent suppliers.