Export of electricity from Merrion generator

In April 2015, Executive Board approved £3.1m to fund a 2MW gas-fired electricity generator with heat recovery. This gave LCC an opportunity to generate our own power when electricity is more expensive during peak times; and also generate surplus power to export and sell to the national grid at peak times when other consumers are paying premium prices. The purpose of the investment in the generator aimed to increase value for money. Maintenance of the equipment will involve an external contractor, and supervision/switching algorithms will be provided by external specialist software operators, the costs of which are incorporated in to the business case. LCC will: • Generate income by exporting electricity onto the national grid, or to other LCC buildings, when energy prices are favourably high; and • Minimise the cost of energy procurement for LCC as a whole, by changing the consumption pattern significantly