Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Commission for Regulation of Utilities Strategic Plan: Discussion

Photo of Lynn BoylanLynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I can give an example in respect of the Dutch. In 2009, they had an issue because gas prices were very high so they invited in coal plants on a temporary basis to try to bring down the cost of energy to consumers. We then saw the Urgenda Foundation case, where the Dutch were told they were not doing enough to meet climate targets. They decided to phase out the two coal-fired power plants and the country is facing a €4 billion compensation package on the basis of that policy decision. That is because it signed the Energy Charter Treaty. What risk assessment has the CRU done with respect to inviting gas-powered plants to fix a temporary issue around demand?

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