Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke has said the Government is working “very closely” with Aughinish Alumina in Limerick over a decision to suspend the company from an energy market.
Aughinish Alumina operates a combined heat and power plant with surplus energy being sold back into the grid.
EirGrid has confirmed that Aughinish Alumina has been suspended from the “ex-ante” energy market in line with a decision by European Commodity Clearing (ECC).
ECC is a clearing house for commodity products.
Ex-ante markets provide day-ahead and intraday markets for the buying and selling of wholesale electricity by generators, supply companies and traders.
“Aughinish Alumina remains active in the Capacity and Balancing markets and remains connected to the transmission system,” EirGrid said in a statement.
“Aughinish Alumina has not been taken offline,” it added.
EirGrid said it is currently reviewing the implications of this development.
Mr Burke said the decision was taken in a sovereign court in Italy.
Asked if jobs are under threat, he said: “We are at this point in time engaging with the company through Eirgrid, through the CRU, through the Department of Energy and our own Department to come together and find a pathway for the company.”
Asked to clarify if this means jobs are under threat, Mr Burke added: “We’re working with the company and that’s the key thing, we need to ensure there is a pathway. It’s a very significant company, and obviously supplies a significant amount of power both into the grid and in terms of its utilisation.”
Minister Burke said that he understands that the plant is “still fully operational, but they are in discussion with Eirgrid and the CRU to find a pathway”.
Aughinish Alumina has been contacted for comment.
ECC said it would not be commenting on the matter.
Additional reporting Fiachra Ó Cionnaith
