A senior energy official says Ireland will be able to manage electricity shortages.
Eirgrid this morning warned of possible outages at power stations due to increased demand and the closure of older plants.
The company says this means there could be an 'electricity deficit' this winter.
But Commissioner Jim Gannon from the Commission for Regulation of Utilities says there is a plan in place.
"Over the past 12 month period we've seen 500 megawatts of capacity we've expected to see come in in advance of next winter drop out.
"Separately we had record demand last winter, beating that very cold winter of 2010/2011.
"As a result Eirgrid have upped their demand peak expectation.
"We wouldn't classify it as alarmist - there's a future risk and it definitely needs to be addressed and a plan put in place."
