Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. McGowan. Adding to Deputy Cronin's question regarding the challenge we have in this area, it is brilliant that we are doing so well in respect of the percentage of renewables we can push onto the grid. I think over the last two weekends that figure went up to 80% and beyond, with wind energy accounting for 70%. When we get to 2030, we want to be using at least 80% renewables year-round, and not just instantaneously. The level will go up, and, arguably, will go beyond 100%, which would allow us to become an exporter of energy.

My question concerns the market design required to achieve that ambition. A new natural gas plant is planned. It needs to be built as we increase the percentage of renewables and for technical reasons to balance the fluctuating supply which will come from renewables. My concern is that building this new gas plant could lock us in a carbon path. Perhaps we can avoid that. I am interested in this aspect.

What incentivises somebody to come along and build a gas plant that is only going to be on for a few hours in the whole year? Is there a piece on the market designed to incentivise those players to come into the market but only to the point they are used very seldom?