Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Both witnesses have mentioned Germany running 70% renewables. I presume that is at a moment in time and not over a year. We are probably one of the most advanced countries in the world in respect of integrating renewable power in a synchronised, isolated system. We have tested the edge of what is possible. Our best engineers tell me that it is not just voltage and frequency stability that are of concern but also inertia in the system. Has Mr. Allen looked at that? I believe we will go to 100% renewable and will probably be one of the first countries to do it at scale. Has Mr. Allen looked at the issue of inertia? How does he answer the grid engineers? When I tell them to go further and do more, they tell me the physics of the inertia issue are not insignificant.

It is one of the questions I have for Mr. Allen. As in Ireland, UK energy consumption is rising by 1.5% to 2% per annum. I agree fully that the emphasis must be on energy efficiency and a dramatic reduction in energy consumption. We have been thinking and talking for 40 years about how we switch from rising consumption. No matter what we think should happen, that is the reality of what is happening. Is there a policy measure or single silver bullet whereby we can make that switch and start to reduce demand by 5% to 8% per annum versus the current increases in consumption? What is the policy measure to achieve that?