John O'Connor, CHAIRPERSON

Delivering an innovative grid for business and community is what guides us in EirGrid Group

I am pleased to present the 2015 Annual Report of EirGrid plc under the theme of “Connecting Jobs and Prosperity”.

Delivering the right electricity grid and operating it securely and efficiently for the entire island of Ireland, north and south, is what guides us in EirGrid Group. From this flows improvements to the lives of all citizens, businesses and communities, underpinning job creation, prosperity and investment.

Electricity is set to supply a bigger and bigger share of our energy needs in the future.

In the previous Annual Report, I said that the EirGrid Group of Companies was on a constant mission to improve how we do things and that this requires us to embrace change. A year on, I can truthfully say that this commitment can be seen across all aspects of our business. It is evident in the way we are planning for the future needs of the electricity transmission grid. It is evident in the way we are reaching out to and consulting with communities and individuals who are affected by or have an interest in our projects. It is evident in the way we are breaking new ground in accommodating an ever higher share of renewable generation on the grid. It is evident in the large investment in new wholesale electricity market systems to ensure we have the most competitive prices possible. We are also engagedin organisational change within the group and, perhaps more importantly, in embedding throughout the organisation the values and culture that should imbue any company responsible for such a vital public service.

In December 2014, we set about transforming how we engage with communities and the public. Reviewing and Improving our Public Consultation Process set out the 12 commitments by which we would do this.We are now delivering on these commitments and  we are putting in place a whole new framework for the development of grid projects from conception to completion.Full information and local presence will be critical features of this approach.

A similar process is also underway in Northern Ireland.

A further milestone in 2015 was the publication for comment of our draft grid development strategy, ‘Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow’.

This sets out our plans for ensuring that we have a modern efficient grid into the future, taking account of the latest advances in technology. After taking account of the public’s reaction and the Government’s White Paper on Energy Policy, we will publish a new grid development strategy in 2016. Having taken over responsibility for the planning of grid development  in Northern Ireland, we are also preparing a grid development strategy there.

Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow sets out our new approach to upgrading the transmission grid and clearly demonstrates our commitment to considering all available technology options – including upgrades to the existing network, overhead lines and underground cables – when developing the grid.

For example, the new strategy includes an innovative solution for the South East region, which is capable of meeting the need for the Grid Link project. The new ‘Regional Option’ involves no new overhead pylons. Instead the advanced use of technology will reinforce the network in the region.

The North South Interconnector is the single most important and most urgent infrastructure project on the island of Ireland.

Designated a ‘Project of Common Interest’ by the European Commission, the North South Interconnector  is urgently needed to secure adequate electricity supply in Northern Ireland and to facilitate the optimal operation of the all-island electricity market for the benefit of people and businesses everywhere. It also provides a local benefit to the people in the North East, by increasing the capacity of the electricity  network in the region. In turn, this will help to attract inward investment and jobs. Subject to the planning process now underway, we are committed to delivering this project as soon as possible for the benefit of electricity consumers in both jurisdictions.
 

EirGrid Group is engaging in many other exciting and ambitious projects.

These include the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM), an important step in the creation of a single European market for electricity. This project will foster increased competition and exert downward pressure on prices. It will be a major focus for us in the year ahead.In conjunction with moving to the I-SEM model, we continue to explore the feasibility of increasing interconnection from Ireland to the wider European market in the interests of creating a more competitive and integrated market on the island of Ireland.

We are currently undertaking a feasibility study for an interconnector between Ireland and France (the ‘Celtic Interconnector’).  In  2015  significant  investigative work was carried out jointly with our French counterparts and 2016 will see us assessing the business case for the next phase of th project. We continued to make good progress in implementing the DS3 programme which aims to develop and install the systems necessary to safely accommodate up to 75% wind generated electricity on the grid in real time in order to meet the public policy objective of generating 40% of electricity from renewable resources by 2020. EirGrid is recognised as being at the forefront of technology in this area. We have a strong ambition to keep abreast of rapidly changing technologies in the sector and indeed, to fostering technological advancement by co-operating with research and training. We have set up an Innovation Board within the group to guide these activities.

A central theme of the 2015 white paper on energy policy is to put citizens and communities at the heart of the energy transition that is coming.

We in EirGrid fully support this concept in its many dimensions. As a key player in the electricity system, we will now be considering how we can most effectively play our part in realising that ambition.

I would like to thank each of my fellow Directors for his or her contribution and support during the year.A particular word of thanks and good wishes for the future to Regina Moran who resigned as Director during the year. I am glad to welcome the appointment of Michael Hand and Gerry Walsh as new Directors.I also want to pay tribute to the Chief Executive, the Executive Directors and staff for their diligence and excellent work. I wish to thank the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White TD, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment in Northern Ireland, Jonathan Bell MLA,   his predecessor Arlene Foster MLA and the officials in both Departments for their ongoing co-operation and support.

Fintan Slye, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

2015 continued a trend of strong financial performance for EirGrid Group

During 2015, revenue grew from €668.3 million to €706.2 million. Profit before tax was €40.7 million, with underlying profits at €16.9 million.

Based on this strong performance, we were able to deliver a proposed dividend of €3.5 million to the shareholder.

We have continued to meet our core responsibility of operating the power system and wholesale electricity market in a high quality, efficient and independent manner. This was done for the benefit of people, communities and businesses in Ireland and Northern Ireland and was carried out in the context of a rapidly changing business environment.

Throughout 2015, we have worked closely with some of the biggest companies in the world to foster jobs and prosperity in communities across the island. Much of this work has focused on the development of data centres - for example, in Athenry, Co. Galway (Apple), Clonee, Co. Meath (Facebook) and Grangecastle, Co. Dublin (Microsoft). Large data centres are high energy users, so they will often connect directly to the electricity grid. Developments such as these bring construction jobs, long-term employment and increased rates to fund local council facilities. Though electricity is just one element of the critical infrastructure that underpins these investments, we work hard to ensure that power quality, energy prices and security of supply bring such customers to the table.

At a strategic level, 2015 afforded the group an opportunity to take the learnings of recent years and implement them in the way we do business. We responded to concerns raised during public consultations on transmission projects by delivering on our programme of 12 commitments that redefined our approach in this area. Though this change has been demanding, it has placed us at the leading edge in how to consult on major infrastructural projects.

A key tenet of the 12 commitments is a more participative approach in our public consultation. This approach to projects has been borne out for example in changes made to the Grid Link project. The report to the Government-appointed Independent Expert Panel (IEP) on this project set out a new and innovative technical solution, the ‘Regional Option’. This solution meets the needs of the project without requiring new, large, overhead infrastructure to be built. Subsequent feedback from stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive towards the decision to proceed with the Regional Option.

2015 was also a milestone year for the North South Interconnector project, as we submitted a planning application to An Bord Pleanála in Dublin in June. In the same month we also submitted the necessary paperwork to the Department of Environment in Belfast, thus completing the information required for recommencement of the Public Inquiry into the project in Northern Ireland.

The North South Interconnector will secure energy supply across the island of Ireland.

The project is envisaged to bring savings of €20 million per year by 2020, rising to €40 million - €60 million each year by 2030.

The process of upgrading and securing the grid in Northern Ireland is progressing well. In West Tyrone, we are developing a new 110 kV line and substations that will improve security of supply. This will also allow us to connect more renewable energy in the region.

In June 2015, we were honoured when the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Jonathan Bell MLA, opened our new SONI headquarters in Castlereagh. Castlereagh House is the base for 120 of our staff and houses the control centre that manages the Northern Ireland grid.

Last year also saw significant progress on our Delivering a Secure and Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) programme.

This work is aimed at enabling us to manage high levels of non-synchronous renewable energy on the system in real time.

For generators and other market participants, the new system services arrangements unveiled in 2015 are a key component of DS3. The arrangements are central to the realisation of Ireland’s 40% renewables target by 2020.

We are working closely with the regulators in Ireland and Northern Ireland on the development of a new set of electricity trading arrangements, I-SEM, that will meet the requirements of the EU “Target Model”, aimed at creating a single internal market for electricity for Europe. This will have far-reaching implications for all participants in the electricity market across the island. A dedicated team, comprising staff from SEMO, EirGrid and SONI, has been established to deliver the new market.

I would like to thank Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Alex White TD, for his positive engagement and support. I would also like to pay tribute to his predecessor, Pat Rabbitte TD, following his retirement.

The commitment, development and aspirations of our staff underpin the success of the group and I want to acknowledge the contribution of all of our people.

They are dedicated to ensuring that the electricity network, market and infrastructure meet the needs of our customers and the communities we serve.

I would like to thank the board, management and staff of EirGrid Group for their support and dedication during the year. We look forward to another year of progress in 2016.

In Operations, Planning and Innovation (OPI), our role   is to operate a safe and secure transmission system for the benefit of all electricity customers. Central to this is regular review of our plans, to ensure that the grid  remains fit-for-purpose.

In spring 2015 we published a revised grid development strategy. We reviewed the main network reinforcement projects - Grid Link,Grid West and
the North South Interconnector. New options were presented for Grid West and Grid Link, which were well received by stakeholders.

We are also committed to leading innovation in response to a constantly changing power system. In this respect a key focus is on Smart Grids and DS3.

This year, our ground-breaking DS3 Programme won the “Communication & Participation” category of the 2015 RGI “Good Practice of the Year”.

DS3 was also runner-up in the international ‘2015 International Smart Grid Action Network ISGAN Award of Excellence’ competition.

Electricity Demand and System Performance

Electricity demand on the island of Ireland increased slightly over the calendar year 2015, compared to 2014. This growth is expected to be maintained
reflecting  economic recovery.

Generation availability is a measure of the capability of generators to deliver power to the grid. In order for EirGrid Group to operate the transmission system securely and economically, generators must maintain a high rate of availability.

All-island generation availability for the 12 months up to October 2015 was 87%.

Generation margins remained within the standard throughout 2015.

Demand Connections

Over the past year, we have received applications and queries for an unprecedented increase in large scale demand, predominantly from data centres.To date, 284 MVA of data centre connections have accepted or are considering connection offers and a further 334 MVA of applications are currently awaiting connection offers. In addition to the customer projects already in formal processes with EirGrid, approximately 900 MVA of additional enquiries have been received for large demand increases at a number of locations across the island.

We have provided extensive support to these intensive demand customers, providing guidance or pre-feasibility studies on the connection options to enable them to choose suitable locations.

We have also facilitated advanced works packages, allowing customers to undertake initial works packages, in advance of firm contractual positions.In addition, we have enabled customers to build their own shallow connection works, giving them greater control over their timelines and costs.

Northern Ireland Planning

2015 was the first full year in which SONI had responsibility for the transmission planning function in Northern Ireland. The Utility Regulator is currently consulting on SONI and NIE’s draft paper on Contestability Guidelines Document. As part of this consultation process, SONI and NIE Networks held  a workshop with industry. A recent Utility Regulator determination concluded that applications to NIE Networks do not need to be accompanied with planning  permission.

Innovation

The challenge of anticipating and evolving alongside a constantly changing power system is one which we enjoy responding to. 

We are always looking for new ways to operate the electricity grid, with several pilot projects currently in  operation. Leading this is the Delivering a Secure and Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) programme.

The DS3 programme investigates how we can securely operate the power system with increasing amounts of variable, nonsynchronous renewable generation.

EirGrid Group are also members of European umbrella body ENTSO-E’s Research, Development and Innovation Committee, and collaborate with a number of other research and innovation groups, including the National Science Foundation in the USA.

As a result, NIE Networks have received a remarkable volume of applications (around 800 MW in total, both large scale and small scale generation).

SONI has also progressed its first transmission reinforcement in Northern Ireland to the preconstruction phase. This reinforcement is a proposed new 110/33  kV substation to cater for  demand growth in Belfast City centre and Belfast Harbour area.

In December 2014 we published Reviewing and Improving Our Consultation Process. This comprehensive review, including independent reports from SLR Consulting and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, confirmed that changes were required to how we work with communities, businesses and government.

It shaped a new group philosophy – namely, that we must meet the needs of stakeholders if we are to deliver a grid that grows in tandem with the economic development of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The review contained 12 commitments aimed at achieving a more community-focused approach to grid development. Significant progress was made in delivering these commitments during 2015.

The launch of our draft grid development strategy, Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow, in March 2015 was another significant step forward for EirGrid Group.
This draft strategy was a response to feedback received from the public during consultations on major grid development projects. It also represented a key part of our efforts to encourage greater participation in our decision-making process.

Your Grid, Your Views, Your Tomorrow also reflected an updated view of the economic context for developing the grid. The strategy also incorporated our  growing experience of promising new transmission technologies.

It included a new regional option for the Grid Link Project and a hybrid option for the Grid West Project. It also concluded that overhead lines are the best solution for the North South Interconnector. We continue to engage with local communities on this key project and have recently initiated a wide-ranging outreach and information campaign. This has resulted in meetings and dialogue with many community members on issues including undergrounding, environmental interests and health concerns.

We are staffing community offices, holding regional discussion forums and are communicating more widely to better explain our plans.

A key initiative has been the appointment of Agriculture and Community Liaison Officers across the island, as well as a public affairs lead in Northern Ireland. The development of a consultation handbook and toolkit, plus the adoption of “plain English” in our publications, further reflects our commitment to meaningful and accessible engagement.
We seek to engage early with public representatives in Stormont and the Oireachtas, and across local government. This provides government feedback while also acting as an avenue to engage with local communities.

Our Chief Executive appeared twice during the year at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. This was accompanied by outreach and walk-in sessions with Senators and TDs, which provided some valuable feedback.

We also worked within the framework of the Government’s new Regional Action Plan for Jobs. We were delighted when the North  South Interconnector was identified as a key enabler of jobs and development through this forum.

In Northern Ireland, we carried out a significant body of political engagement, which included briefings with all tiers of elected representative across each political party; from Councillors to MEPs. We were honoured when Minister Jonathan Bell opened our new SONI offices in June. We also briefed several of the new local government districts or ‘super-councils’, a programme which will continue throughout 2016.

As we look forward, engagement, consultation and outreach will continue to form a key part of our grid development strategy. While further consultation is not required as part of the planning process for the North South Interconnector, we are  committed to continue informing and engaging with local communities. 

In tandem with this, we launched a new EirGrid Group website. 

The new site is aimed at making our brand more accessible to the public across  the island of Ireland, providing easily understandable information in a more user friendly way.

Last February also saw EirGrid’s first GAA partnership with the sponsorship of the All-Ireland Under 21 Football Championship.

As part of the sponsorship EirGrid introduced a new awards scheme that saw the best players from the championship recognised.

This was followed by an announcement in September that EirGrid would be title sponsor of the 2015 International Rules test match. This saw Ireland regain the Cormac McAnallen Cup through a 56-52 win, in what was widely agreed to be the most entertaining series of recent years.

EirGrid’s  business  spans  the  length  and  breadth of the island of Ireland, mirroring the reach of the  GAA making this sponsorship a perfect fit. Our role in managing and developing Ireland and Northern  Ireland’s electricity grid ensures that young people,

like the participants in this championship, have a bright future both on and off the field.

In tandem with the GAA, SONI launched its sponsorship of the Ulster Senior League in 2015. Like the power which SONI provides, grassroots rugby is at the heart of many communities across Ulster.

We look forward to developing each of these relationships across 2016.

There were four inputs to our review. These included a review of public feedback, an evaluation of international best practice in public consultation, and expert reviews carried out by SLR Consulting Limited and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

In December 2014, we published a review of our approach to public consultation. As part of this we committed to deliver a comprehensive programme of change in the way we manage consultation over the course of 2015. The commitments we have delivered on include:

Developing a participative  approach

We produced our publications in plain English, with clear, straightforward information which will be accessible to all.

We appointed Community Liaison Officers, whose role is to work with communities to develop long-term sustained relationships in their local areas.

In assessing the most appropriate solution for grid development, we placed more emphasis on the effect of our projects on  society.

Change our culture and processes

We streamlined a process to investigate complaints or specific feedback. This is accessible through our website in the ‘Contact’ section.

Our projects will be continuously reviewed to ensure project need, and that all information on the project   is communicated in a transparent and consistent manner.

We recently circulated a consultation handbook to key stakeholders for their feedback. This clearly sets out how people can engage and participate in decisions which shape projects in their communities. Following feedback from our National Advisory Committee (NAC), our consultation handbook will be published later in 2016.

Encourage leadership & advocacy

We implemented new regional discussion forums.These allow members of the public and interest groups  to come together and discuss key areas of our work.

For example in May this year, we held forums in Sligo, Dundalk and Cork, facilitated by Irish Rural Link, to discuss our Draft Grid Development Strategy. The forums generated good engagement among attendees and those who participated via live web streaming.

We continue to ensure that we operate in full compliance  with  European  and  international guidelines in relation to electromagnetic fields (EMF).

The initial results of these changes have been encouraging, and feedback from stakeholders- from community up to government- has been positive.

This process doesn’t end with the delivery of our 12 commitments, and we continue to welcome   your comments on how we can further improve our approach  to consultation.

A similar process is also underway in Northern Ireland, where we hope to publish a review of consultation in the coming months.

Maintaining the grid is vital to ensuring that the  transmission system can operate in a safe, secure and reliable manner for customers.

Transmission Development Strategy

In 2015, we developed a revised transmission development strategy to deliver the best possible solutions for the people of Ireland. The strategy is shaped by three key pillars:

•  open engagement with communities;
• making the most of new technologies;
• getting more capability from the existing grid before we build new transmission infrastructure.

To improve community engagement, we developed a new consultation process and appointed four Agricultural Liaison Officers (ALOs). Our ALOs are available to engage with communities on projects in their areas and other issues that arise.

We continued the role out of high capacity conductors to increase the capability of existing transmission circuits, reducing the need to build new lines. We also completed construction of several substation upgrades which improves operational capability.

New Connections

We received a significant increase in applications from existing and new high energy users for transmission connections primarily in the East and West regions.

We are committed to delivering the grid necessary to foster economic growth and support jobs throughout Ireland. Many of the new connections are under construction or at advanced planning stage. We expect to deliver these important projects in the coming  months  and years.

Delivering the grid to meet future need

In cooperation with NIE and ESB, we identified and submitted an application for planning approval for the North South 400 kV Interconnection Development.

The interconnector will increase the security and reliability of electricity supply to households and businesses throughout the island of Ireland. It will support growth and boost existing industry in the North East region and ensure a continuing reliability of electricity supply. It will enable the all-island wholesale electricity market to work efficiently, allowing for increased competition in electricity supply, thereby offering consumers choice and competitive prices.

In West Tyrone, we are developing a new 110 kV line and substations that will improve security of supply in the region.

We continued the significant redevelopment of the transmission network in the South West, completing a number of new stations and uprating of existing lines in counties Cork and Kerry. The total investment is approximately €400m, and led to direct and indirect employment in the area during the planning and construction phases. The improved network

will facilitate generation in the region and provide a platform for economic growth in the  future.

Interconnection with Europe

Part of EirGrid’s role is to explore interconnection with other countries, in order to ensure security of supply, drive down prices through increased competition and  to  facilitate renewables.

We are currently managing a joint feasibility study with RTE, the French Transmission System Operator, for an Ireland-France Interconnector (the ‘Celtic  Interconnector’).

The results of the feasibility study and business case are due in mid-2016. At this point, a decision will be made on whether or not to proceed to the design and consent phase of the project. I am delighted that the European Commission allocated €3.8m in funding towards the study.

Through engagement, innovation and maximising the capability of the transmission network we strengthen our power supply and ensure there is capacity to support future business investments throughout the island of Ireland.

Electricity demand will also become more dynamic,  with increasing calls for energy efficiency. We also understand that building new infrastructure is no  longer the default solution to network issues, and that innovation  can  provide  novel alternatives.

Innovative solutions must be tested for the challenges that we face, both now and in the future. To this end, the EirGrid Innovation Board was established in 2015 to provide focus and governance of our innovation projects.

At EirGrid Group, we are currently running several innovation projects, designed to future-proof the grid and keep us at the forefront of energy developments. These include:

 AES Battery

A 10 MW battery storage device was installed in Kilroot Power Station in Northern Ireland. This device, which is the largest of its kind on the island of Ireland, can provide additional reserve to the power system.

Schwundgrad Energie

In Co. Offaly, a flywheel-battery pilot project is underway. Approximately 40 jobs were provided in the construction phase of the pilot   project.

DS3

The main project designed to help deliver on the 2020 renewable electricity targets is the programme for Delivering a Secure and Sustainable Electricity System (DS3). The DS3 Programme is designed to ensure that we can securely operate the power system with increasing amounts of variable, nonsynchronous renewable generation.

Tower voltage uprates

This programme is testing two new tower types, which may reduce the need for new lines by converting existing 220 kV lines to 400    kV.

Tower Router

The tower router device optimises existing infrastructure through redirection of power   flows.

Composite pole design

Type testing of new 220 kV towers that could provide an additional option in reducing the visual impact of pylons.

Innovation in User Technology

A number of user-led pilot and demonstration projects were supported by EirGrid Group during 2015. These projects used existing technology and new technologies at transmission scale to demonstrate how they may be used in the future.

Residential Demand Side Management trial

An industry-wide competition was run to have a residential consumer-based demand response project in operation in 2016. If successful, this could enable residential consumer participation in forthcoming System Services processes.

Research and Development

Research and Development is a key area of  focus  for  EirGrid,  facilitating  the  introduction of innovative solutions to plan and operate the power system. We are key project partners  in  three Research and Development projects funded through the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

RealValue

A €15.5m project, with twelve partners across Europe, RealValue aims to show how local small- scale energy storage could bring benefits to energy users. RealValue spans the entire value chain,

from householders, through supply, distribution, transmission and generation, to system operators. The business case for small-scale storage will be evaluated and the barriers associated with its integration into the electricity grid and energy markets will be identified.

PROMOTioN

PROMOTioN is a €39m Horizon 2020 project which will overcome barriers of high converter cost, lack of protection systems, immature international regulations and financial instruments associated with offshore wind and grids.

MIGRATE

This is a €16m Horizon 2020 project which will develop control methods for a system approaching and reaching 100% power electronic penetration, on both the load and generation side.

Free trade across borders is the foundation of the single  European market.

This principle applies to the energy sector, where the creation of a single European market for electricity and gas is an important goal of the EU.

To achieve this goal, electricity markets throughout the EU are being aligned with a common European “Target Model” for cross-border electricity trading.

The all-island wholesale Single Electricity Market (SEM) has been in place since 2007 and is run by the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO), a joint venture between EirGrid and SONI.

It is regulated by the SEM Committee, which comprises the CER, URegNI, an independent member and a deputy  independent member.

The SEM concept provides for a competitive, sustainable and reliable wholesale market in electricity, delivering long-term economic and social benefits that are mutually advantageous to Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Over the past year, SEM has added 11 new participants. A total of 32 units were also registered, including users of Moyle Interconnector and the East West Interconnector.

The SEM Committee has now been instructed to develop a new set of electricity trading arrangements that will meet the requirements of the EU “Target Model”.

The SEM Committee published the high-level design for I-SEM in September 2014 and this marks a significant period of change for market participants.

The arrangements affect all participants in the market and will be implemented via the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) programme.

It is anticipated that I-SEM will bring benefits, including:

• A more open and efficient pan-European electricity market  delivering  benefits  to consumers;
• Increased access to cheaper sources of electricity;
• Access to a market into which we can sell our electricity;
• A basis for the development of intraday, forward, day-ahead and balancing markets that enable investors  and  operators  manage risk.

Since the high-level design decision was published in September 2014, the regulators have progressed the detailed design of the market through a number of consultations and decisions. We are now implementing the systems and process needed for I-SEM and will be engaging with participants right through 2016 via a series of planned workshops.

EirGrid Group has made a major contribution to the development of the design throughout this process.

We will continue to work with industry and our European partners to consider suitable implementation for the  I-SEM. 

The process for the development of the market rules has also been initiated through the establishment of the Market Rules Working Group, comprising representatives from the regulators, participants and EirGrid.

This group is focused on delivering

• Central Systems and Services
• Central  Arrangements
• Operational Capability
• Participant Engagement and Market Readiness

It is planned that the I-SEM will be up and running by the end of 2017.

Overview of Energy Usage in 2015

In 2015, EirGrid plc consumed 4128 MWh of energy at its offices in Ballsbridge and Business Continuity Centre:

• 3,172 MWh of electricity;
• 956 MWh of fossil fuels;
• 0 MWh from onsite renewable  fuels.

Actions Undertaken in 2015

In 2015 we undertook a range of initiatives to improve its  energy  performance including:

• Completing Energy Map Training;
• Installation of a system to better manage cooling within the data  centre;
• Fine-tuning of building systems, including measures to ensure the main heating and cooling systems within EirGrid’s control are only operational when required.

Actions Planned for 2016

In 2016 we plan to further improve our energy performance  by  undertaking  the  following initiatives:

• Further optimisation of the computer and IT datacentre environment including investigating the potential for free air  cooling;
• Further improve the building environment, including additional lighting replacement and the upgrading of the building energy management system to a cloud based solution.

The Human Resources and Corporate Services directorate of the group includes Organisational Development, Internal Communications, Information Systems (IS) and Facilities. We are tasked with managing change and improving internal business processes across the EirGrid Group.

Recruitment

It’s been a busy year on the recruitment side, with almost 70 staff hired over the past  year.

Our new hires have come into the business across a broad range of disciplines, including Engineering, IT, Finance and Public Affairs. We have also new engineering graduates on the group graduate programme.

In addition, college students from IT and engineering disciplines were selected to work in our Dublin and Belfast offices. 15 transition year students also gained experience with us over 2015.

New Organisation Structure

A new structure was implemented with the objective of making it easier to do business. This new structure will help us to:

• Achieve the ambitious targets we have set out in our Group Strategy;
• Change the way we operate for the  better;
• Engage in a different way with external stakeholders, our customers and the communities in which we operate;
• Be more agile, flexible and change oriented;
• Be more accountable, transparent and commercially focused.

Employee  Engagement

At EirGrid Group, we have five company values. These are:

• We deliver on our promises;
• We behave with integrity;
• We recognise that our people are our greatest asset;
• We innovate to drive value for all our customers;
• We behave in a socially responsible manner.

In 2015 we delivered an employee engagement programme aligned to these values, with the objective of ensuring that staff know the important part that they play in the success of the group.

Key successes in this area include:

Our new recognition programme ‘Going the Extra Mile’ was launched which recognises staff who go further to make EirGrid Group better.

During 2015 we refreshed our approach to staff development.

We launched a new group staff skills development programme (Eirskills). This has helped our people develop their competencies and carry out their roles. Programmes are running in Belfast and Dublin, helping people to improve our flexibility and adaptability, embed our values and behaviours and become more community focused.

We remain committed to bringing the latest thinking and best practice to bear in our approach to development across the  group.

New Belfast Offices

We officially opened our new SONI offices in Belfast in June 2015 and work is underway to open additional regional offices in 2016.

New Website

A new website- www.eirgridgroup.com- was launched which provides more easily understandable information in a more user friendly way. The new site  provides general information on EirGrid Group, EirGrid and SONI TSOs. It also delivers information on grid projects, explaining how the grid works, information for customers and industry, news and media, and a library for publications and documents.

IS Systems

Staff have worked hard to maintain the availability of our IS systems to run the business. They have developed systems that support our business

regionally, enabling our staff at head office to engage with their counterparts in our local communities.

We are also in the final stages of commissioning a new state of the art, energy management system (EMS).

This will enable the operation of the power system on an all-island basis and improve our control centre business continuity capabilities. Additionally the new EMS will provide enhanced functionality for the facilitation  of renewables and the support of the 2020 targets. The EMS has been central to the management of an ever expanding power system. It is continually being  enhanced to meet new technical challenges such as the variability of wind power and control of interconnection.

At EirGrid Group, we are driven to provide a sustainable service to the public through responsible business practice. We are dedicated to achieving business success, while respecting the communities and environment with which we interact.

Each year our staff select two charities to support. In 2015, our chosen charities were Our Lady’s Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care. For the third year running, a charity EirGrid Group cycle was held in memory of our colleague Joanne Kearney, raising money for Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross.

In recognising how EirGrid staff contribute to their own local communities, the group supports staff members who volunteer by donating to their   chosen

initiatives. We sponsored a number of events including the Euro-Toques Food Awards, where food producers from across Ireland are recognised for outstanding achievement.

We have also worked with staff to improve their working experience, as detailed in the ‘Our People’ section of this report on page 32.

We continue to support the education and development of young people through a range of initiatives. Through our partnership with Business in the Community we have continued to work with Margaret Aylward Community College in Dublin.

We have further worked to improve stakeholder engagement in the past year, publishing a review of our approach to consultation, while increasing outreach and discussion.

Working with the National Adult Literacy Agency, we have worked to roll-out ‘plain English’ in many of our public-facing documents - an exercise that we will continue into 2016.

Annually, we support young people by providing meaningful work placements.  We have tapped into the wealth of technical knowledge and ability across the organisation to give particular support to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives such as the school science projects, hosting of schemes such as Women in Engineering and Engineering our Future.