The Board of the ESB is to seek clarification from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources about the implications of the recent White Paper on energy policy in relation to its impact on the value and commercial viability of the company.
Under the terms of the White Paper, the ESB would be forced to transfer its transmission assets to independent company Eirgrid, and it distribution network would be forced to operate on a not-for profit basis.
In a statement following its meeting today, the Board said it looked forward to helping to achieve the ambitious targets set for renewables, the single electricity market, greater north-south and east-west interconnection, fuel diversity and increased competition in the market.
It says it supports any policy that has the effect of delivering a safe, secure electricity supply at the most reasonable possible cost to the customer.
However, it describes the White Paper as complex and detailed - saying its proposals could have major implications for the ESB.
The Board says it will hold further discussions with the government as shareholder and with the Commission for Energy Regulation to thoroughly investigate all aspects of the White Paper.
The board will hold a special board meeting in May to discuss the matter in full.
Yesterday, the ESB group of unions issued a circular criticising government policy in the Green Paper on breaking up the ESB.
Group Secretary Davy Naughton said the group will ballot all members for industrial action if Minister Noel Dempsey proceeds with implementing the proposals as they currently stand.
