FROM THE ARCHIVES:The Shannon Scheme, as the hydroelectric power station at Ardnacrusha was known, was a significant post-independence project, psychologically as well as economically. This editorial marked the extension of the power grid to Dublin (which already had electricity from local power stations) and reflected on some of the controversies that surrounded the scheme. – JOE JOYCE
DURING THE small hours of yesterday morning the turn of a switch introduced electric current from the Shannon to the citizens of Dublin. The electric lights that lit the city yesterday were fed along the high power transmission lines from Ardnacrusha to the transformer station at Inchicore. Thus the dream of five years ago has become a reality at last. The Germans’ work on the banks of the Shannon has ended. Virtually all the representatives of the Siemens-Schuckert firm have gone back to their own country, and in a few more weeks the great undertaking will be controlled by Irishmen. Few enterprises of modern times have given rise to so much controversy. The Shannon scheme was launched by the Free State Government against the advice of the majority of native engineers. The contract was given to a German firm without any attempt to invite competitive tenders. The economics of the scheme were challenged from all sides, and many critics predicted that it would end in costly failure. Now, for better or for worse, the scheme is an accomplished fact. Before the plans for distribution are carried fully into effect some £8,000,000 of the people’s money will have been spent, and the success or failure of the great adventure will depend entirely on the measure in which it is supported by the general public.
The first essential is that the Shannon scheme shall pay its way. The metropolitan user of electricity may hope to make some saving, especially if he should increase his consumption. Yet while consumers may find that their electricity bills are slightly lower under the new scheme, the saving in price will not be sufficiently attractive to create a greatly enhanced market. Gas remains a serious rival, and, unless the Supply Board can make further reductions at an early date, Shannon current may become a glut on the market.
The Shannon scheme is a national undertaking. Its mere existence is a tribute to the progressive spirit of the Free State Government, and it may be argued that, even if the scheme should be a partial loss, the money has been well spent. In the first place, after years of destruction and wreckage, something really impressive has been built in Ireland. The works on the Shannon probably are among the finest of their kind in the world, and their progress during the last few years has been a valuable education to the people. In the next place, electricity has been introduced into many places in the Saorstát which previously had not progressed beyond the stage of the oil lamp and the turf fire. The moral value of the change is incalculable.
http://url.ie/dy38