Mr. Bill Sadlier:

RECAP welcomes the ambition of EirGrid as set out in the publication, Tomorrow's Energy Scenarios. We believe that a scenario somewhere between the "Low Carbon Living" and "Consumer Action" will materialise, requiring about 8 GW of additional renewable energy generation. To meet our energy needs and to ensure our security of supply the deployment of a blend of technologies will be vital to deliver a sustainable energy system. Separately we note the RESS consultation document proposed a range of RES-E scenarios between 40% and 55%. We believe the analysis used to underpin the RESS consultation document needs to be revisited.

We commissioned analysis by leading consultancy firm, Baringa, to assess the total cost of renewable energy to consumers in our pursuit of more penetration on the system. The analysis looked not just at the scale of the PSO, but incorporated the benefit and reduction in the wholesale power price. The Baringa modelling shows that the 55% RES-E scenario can be fully cost neutral to consumers with the right blend of technologies and flexibility measures. This effect gets even stronger under a 75% RES-E scenario. The perception of increased cost should not be a bar to weaning ourselves aggressively off fossil fuels.

In the coming months we will need to define a long-term decarbonisation plan for Ireland, which shifts the narrative away from focusing only the cost of renewable energy to also advocating the benefits. Ireland's decarbonisation plan needs to be underpinned by the socialisation of the energy system, focused on community engagement and ownership, and the removal of obstacles and project development uncertainties through long-term grid allocation planning and long-term RES option planning, both of which will attract long-term capital to the sector. We would welcome any questions from committee members.