Ireland could potentially experience blackouts this winter, according to a senior research officer from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland today, Dr Muireann Lynch said that supply is the tightest it has been for “a good while.”
Echoing previous statements by the Tanaiste in relation to diverting use from peak times, Dr Lynch said: "A lot of it comes down to whether or not customers can shift their demand from the peak times. If there are demand interruptions, they'll almost certainly occur at peak times."
Read More: Blackouts, price hikes and recession - what winter in Ireland might look like this year
Regardless of optimal wind conditions and if demand is brought down during peak times, Dr Lynch said that no one can say for sure that blackouts can be avoided.
She did, however, say that blackouts are not guaranteed if those conditions can be met.
In addition to the possible blackouts this winter, Dr Lynch said that electricity prices will continue to rise.
“We do know unfortunately that prices almost certainly will stay very high, if not increase over the winter," she said.
Dr Lynch said that customers could avail of significant savings by switching providers.
This is the latest acknowledgement of the potentially looming blackouts this winter.
Previously, former managing director of ESB International Don Moore said that Ireland was the “least prepared” for the looming prospect of blackouts this winter.
Soon after, and following an amber alert issued by The Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO) which signified a threat to the supply of electricity, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said that the government is “doing everything” it can to avoid blackouts this winter.
Mr Varadkar said the Government is seeking additional generation capacity and looking at plans to reduce demand during peak times.
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