Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

The rapid expansion of renewable sources of energy is critical to lowering costs and protecting those in or at risk of energy poverty. As we move to higher levels of variable renewables, it will be necessary for electricity demand to become much more flexible to match when renewable electricity is plentiful and prices are at their lowest.

The Department is leading on a new cross-Government energy affordability task force that aims to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses operating within the broader policy context set out by the programme for Government and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021. A key output of this task force will be to develop and publish an energy affordability action plan, which will identify a comprehensive range of solutions, including potential demand-side solutions for households to allow them to adjust their energy demand and avail of low-cost or otherwise surplus renewable energy.