Results 4,081-4,100 of 4,573 for speaker:Brian Leddin

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rewetting of Peatland and its Impact on Farmers: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I thank Ms Nally for that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I welcome to the meeting Mr. Dara Lynott, chief executive officer, Mr. Stephen Douglas, senior policy adviser, and Ms Gemma Bewley, policy adviser, from the Electricity Association of Ireland, EAI. On behalf of the committee I thank them for coming here to share their expertise with the committee. First, I will read the note on privilege. I remind witnesses of the long-standing...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Lynott for his statement. We can now take questions from members. I ask members to limit their questions to two minutes per member and if there is time we can have another round of questioning. Deputy Whitmore has another engagement so has asked to come in first.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: We will have time for a second round, so I look forward to the Deputy's further contributions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: While I am waiting for other members to indicate to speak, I might ask a few questions. I was very interested in Mr. Lynott's comments about data centres and how the increased number of data centres might actually help as we become more ambitious in renewable energy penetration across our grid. Could Mr. Lynott elaborate on that? I am interested in the geographic distribution of data...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Lynott for his answers. Deputy Farrell has indicated, but I wish to pick Mr. Lynott up on his reference to 40%. Is that the increase in peak generation? I believe he stated that demand would be 40% greater than it is currently.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Generation will increase by 40%, meaning that demand will increase by 40%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Is that 27% of the 40% or-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Besides data centres, I am interested in discussing transport. We held a series of sessions on transport emissions in recent months and are finalising our report. We heard from experts from other countries. One of the points that arose was demand management. Has the Electricity Association of Ireland factored demand management into its model - I do not just mean in transport, but...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: In section 5.6, the EAI's report speaks about minimum generation units. It indicates that reducing or removing this constraint would enable almost 1 megatonne of reduced emissions. For the benefit of the committee will the witnesses go into this in more detail? It is not something I understand but certainly it is something in which I am very interested. How might it affect frequency...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I thank Mr. Douglas. In the North, is the trajectory of renewables development the same as it is here?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Do the witnesses have a comment on the transmission system and the distribution system? Are they in their scope of interest or influence? Do they have a comment on the work done by EirGrid and ESB Networks in the distribution system? Can the witnesses tell us what is required of these organisations? Are they in frequent contact with them? Do they need to be pushed? It is our role as a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I thank the witnesses. Senator Higgins had a prior engagement but she has joined us now. I invite her to make her contribution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: We should certainly make the distinction between green and blue hydrogen-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: -----and grey hydrogen and the range of colours associated with it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Ireland is well placed to be a real player in the green hydrogen space. I have a few more questions as I do not have others indicating. I hope this is not too much of an interrogation.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: I am quite interested in the co-location of large ambitious renewable energy projects with thermal plant. We saw earlier in the year with the announcement of the Moneypoint project that this is really piggybacking on the two 400 kV lines that traverse the country west to east. Does Mr. Lynott see other potential for those kinds of hybrid connections or co-locating renewables with thermal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Yes, it concerns feedback from the EAI. We have been through one auction and there will be many more. How did it go? What can be changed, perhaps? There will be a series of these over the next few years and we need to get them right. If you have a comment, we would like to hear it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: There was a question about political leadership. Do you want to address that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action: Reduction of Carbon Emissions of 51% by 2030: Discussion (Resumed) (25 May 2021)

Brian Leddin: Thank you for reiterating that. A big part of this is the communication about what needs to be done. You and other organisations in this space certainly have a role. I call Senator Higgins.