Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I will clarify with her afterwards exactly what figures she wants, which I am happy to do. I am also happy to give her or any Senator the updates or documents they want in this regard. Reducing demand, of course, involves smart meters and industry. We have changed the rules on data centres and how they can connect. It is very difficult to get a grid connection at this stage for a data centre. Two things are needed for a data centre. One is a grid connection and the other is planning permission. In future, full back-up of a data centre will be needed in order to connect, which was the standard anyway. I see data centres moving towards using biofuel instead of fossil fuels. Therefore, they have to play their part.

With the development of solar, which is spreading very fast now, and the addition of batteries, we have taken VAT off solar panels and batteries. That battery combination with solar, with the smart control system, allows people who install solar, or schools or hospitals, to be able to balance their energy demand at peak hours. At times when electricity is most needed and expensive and hardest to get, people with solar would be able to rely on their battery storage in their homes to balance the grid better.

The Senator is absolutely right. I am delighted to see her going into such detail on this topic. She has obviously thought it through and considered the challenges around peak electricity use and how much of that should be borne by consumers and how much should be borne by industry. It is a vital topic. It is important not just for reducing our emissions and avoiding using gas but also for avoiding the situation of power cuts. We have taken huge measures to ensure that does not happen.