The ESB's new power station at Coolkeeragh, Co Derry, received a boost last night with news that the electricity interconnector with the Republic is to return to full operation next week.
There is concern within the ESB about the ability of the Coolkeeragh plant to turn a profit, but the availability of the interconnector should improve its chances.
The ESB will be able to export any excess power it does not sell in the Northern Ireland market via the interconnector into the Republic.
A spokesman for ESB National Grid, an independent entity separate from the ESB Group, said about 330 megawatts of electricity could be moved on the interconnector from next week.
The Irish Times revealed a fortnight ago that capacity on the interconnector had dropped sharply, mainly due to essential works. Among the work being undertaken is the replacement of a faulty transformer.
The ESB National Grid spokesman emphasised that capacity would drop again during the summer, but it would be back to normal by the end of the season.
He explained that capacity on the interconnector was never guaranteed and all the major companies were aware of this.
ESB chairman Tadhg O'Donoghue, speaking at the opening ceremony in Derry, said the new plant would allow consumers in Northern Ireland to benefit from low cost energy. He said the plant would produce about one third of the peak electricity requirement of Northern Ireland.
It is understood the plant, which has been operating for several months before its official opening, should re-coup its investment in about 15 years.
About €391 million was invested in the gas fired plant. The official opening was attended by the Minister for Communications, Noel Dempsey and Angela Smith, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
This week the ESB chief executive Padraig McManus launched a strong attack on the regulatory climate facing the ESB in Northern Ireland.
He said the regulator was giving preferential treatment to companies based in Northern Ireland.
He complains that the ESB has to pay a surcharge to Viridian, for every customer it manages to persuade to switch suppliers. He has also complained that there is not enough transparency in how prices are set.
