Northern Ireland Electricity was floated on the Stock Exchange and retained responsibility for transmission, distribution and the supply of power.

BBC: A highly charged debate

Electrical power is necessary to support other critical infrastructures, including supply and distribution of water, food, fuel, communications, transport, financial transactions, emergency services, government services, and all other infrastructures supporting the national economy and welfare.

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The combination of tight supply, dodgy municipal distribution and regulatory uncertainty should power sales of private generators for some time.

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