Dáil debates

Thursday, 15 September 2022

Security of Electricity Supply: Motion [Private Members]

 

6:15 pm

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

All three will benefit from the green revolution that is taking place here and around the world. To answer some of the Deputies who asked earlier if we will see the development of photovoltaics, PV, absolutely, yes, and the changes to the planning system which make it easier for Irish households, farmers, schools and businesses to apply PV. That is happening right across the country.

To answer a direct question from Deputy Bacik or Deputy Whitmore, this month we will start the process of introducing that scheme for the most vulnerable households to give them power in this difficult and vulnerable time. Also to answer one of the Deputies who asked, on the commitment made this July in respect of anaerobic digestion, we will introduce the mechanisms where that becomes a new income for farmers and for us a new source of security. That too is part of the mix. It can provide some 15% of our gas needs by 2030. We will deliver that as every other European country has done. It is not rocket science. We just need the political commitment here to make it happen. My experience is that the Irish farming community knows that is where future income is coming from. That is something where they can be part of this energy future.

On secure power, yes, we have a tight situation in our electricity markets primarily because the auction in 2019 did not deliver some of the backup generation we need. We are resolving that by procuring and purchasing the capacity that did not come through in that 2019 auction. Yes, we will need storage as part of a balancing system. We will publish the CEPA report on Monday which outlines the options and I think it will show, and I certainly have the view, that this should be State-led and not led by corporate interests. We can do that in a way that gives us security but does not blow our carbon budgets and is future-proofed and able to take and use that hydrogen power which is coming this decade. That is why the Dutch Minister was in Cork on Tuesday signing an agreement with the Port of Cork. They believe this is deliverable and can happen. That is why the German Government is similarly signing memorandums of understanding with us that it is the future and they want to be part of it with Ireland.

On affordability, this challenge at the moment is more significant than the other two immediately for our people by a factor of ten. We are exposed because energy is being used as a weapon of war by Putin. Every Deputy in this House has the interests of the Irish people at heart when we address that challenge. We are under attack and this Government will defend our country and our people to the best of our ability.

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