Mr. Tom Marren:

A firm-non-firm process already in the system allows companies to switch off at certain times. In order to reduce the overall costs of energy, we can utilise the existing network more efficiently. I often give an example about the M50, which is full in the morning and evening, but for much of the rest of the day there is considerable capacity. The networks are the same. We have even had this discussion with EirGrid and ESB Networks and we feel we can utilise the existing capacity on the grid for the vast majority of the time. It has considerable advantages in using curtailment on wind and utilising more of the indigenous energy we generate, which we have spent the money to generate and is now being switched off. The mechanisms are there, but focus and drive are needed to bring this firm-non-firm connection process in. The committee will hear from the e-heat members with regard to substantial infrastructure investments for electrification. At a very high level, we typically use two to three times the amount of kilowatt hours of heat as we do electrical power in industry. As we electrify that heat, it means we may double the amount of capacity we need. Thus, we need considerable infrastructure. However, most of the time, our feeling is there is considerable spare infrastructure we can utilise, if there was some sort of way we could switch off when there is no wind or any of these other heat demands. What is great about this industry is that we can switch off for a week or a day, but we need to agree some sort of guidelines, because many of our members have climate reduction targets they have to hit and need to plan accordingly. Perhaps Mr. Coffey or Dr. Browne would like to come in on that.