Ireland's electricity supply is experiencing "tight margins" and we can't rule out the possibility of power cuts, according to an energy expert.
This comes after two system alerts for Ireland's electricity supply were put in place this week by the State’s power grid operator Eirgrid.
A system alert often passes off without incident once a sufficient buffer between electricity supply and demand is restored, EirGrid add.
READ MORE: Latest situation in Portugal airports after holidaymakers were told to 'avoid flying' there
However, Dr Muireann Lynch, Senior Research Officer at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) told KCLR that amber alerts are unusual at this time of the year.
She said: "What was unusual about the alert yesterday was the fact that it did occur in August.
"Amber alerts are not unheard of. The reason we have a buffer between supply and demand is so that we can use it if we need to.
"There's no point having a buffer there if you never use. We are going to dip into that buffer sometimes, that's all fine but generally when we see these kind of alerts they tend to happen in the winter time.
"We saw not one but two in August and that's what was unusual."
And with energy margins tight during the summer months, it could get even tighter during the winter.
Dr Lynch said: "Certainly looking ahead to this winter, supply is going to be tight. It's tighter than we'd like it to be.
"We like to have a certain amount of conventional generation - so not wind, not solar - actual physical power plants like coal and gas to be able to cover the expected peak demand plus a little bit.
"But unfortunately not all of the units that we were expecting to be on the system this winter have shown up and that means things could get tight."
She added: "It wouldn't take much now this winter for us to be in trouble. If another large unit in particular were to go on outage without us expecting it, that's when we might see some pressure."
On Wednesday, an EirGrid spokesperson said: "The electricity system is experiencing tight margins today. A #SystemAlert (Amber Alert) notice has been issued to the electricity market this morning due to low wind, limited electricity imports & forced outages at a number of generators."
While Eamon Ryan has ruled out any possibility of rationing in Ireland, the latest update from the Single Electricity Market Operator operated by EirGrid is not good news.
Although an amber alert has no immediate impact for electricity users, it is a warning of potential for temporary electricity supply issues in the near future.
It is a signal for all generators of electricity to make their facility available for use and not to put their facility at any risk of tripping.
Read next:
Man arrested after 'machete attack' near Premier League stadium as several injured
Teen airlifted to hospital in 'serious condition' after tractor overturns in horror incident
Pension and social welfare hike of €15 could be coming in Budget 2023
Irish vet warns dog owners that five breeds are more likely to get heat stroke
Get all the latest breaking news with the Irish Mirror newsletters
