Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator McCarthy for the opportunity to address this important issue. Ireland's climate action plans recognise the need for the electricity sector to become more adaptable and flexible, in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid. To ensure reliability in such a distributed energy system, as well as to minimise the network upgrades needed to accommodate peaks in demand, it will be vital to align our electricity use with periods of plentiful, low-cost renewable generation. Ireland’s citizens, including energy-poor and vulnerable households, can play a central role in this transition by flexibly managing their energy assets in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and, by doing so, can lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint.

Renewable energy generation poses unique challenges to the electricity network - for example, when the wind stops blowing or the sun goes down - which greatly challenge the capacity of the grid to continually maximise the incorporation and delivery of the renewable generated electricity. To operate the grid using increased volumes of variable renewable energy sources, the grid needs increased amounts of specialist services, referred to as "system services", to ensure grid stability. Electricity storage systems are well placed to provide system services in an efficient, controlled, safe and regulated manner. Electricity storage also has the ability to charge at times of surplus renewable generation and discharge again at times of high demand, thereby utilising surplus renewable electricity effectively. This, in turn, will assist in securing the supply of green renewable energy to the Irish consumer, reducing the need for costly fossil-fuel generation.

As the electricity network grows to meet Ireland's future supply and demand requirements, the strategic location and operation of electricity storage systems will help to maximise renewable integration and alleviate grid issues, such as surplus renewable energy. This, in turn, will reduce the levels of surplus renewable energy.

The programme for Government acknowledges the pressure that increased energy costs place on households and businesses and seeks to lower prices while accelerating the pace of renewable deployment.

The Department has established the accelerating renewable electricity task force to accelerate and increase the deployment of onshore renewable electricity generation and support flexible network infrastructure to ensure that indigenous renewable power reaches our homes and businesses.

Renewable electricity helps lower the cost of electricity for households and businesses by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets and increasing price stability. Enhanced energy security through domestically produced electricity reduces dependence on imported fuels, making Ireland less vulnerable to global energy price shocks.

The national energy affordability task force has also been established to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability. The ongoing work of the task force will include a full review of cost drivers within the energy sector and the development of an energy affordability action plan, which will include recommendations for structural reforms to benefit consumers.