Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I am rising to speak about an issue that is pressing but that also has a moral dimension, namely the need for a national comprehensive strategy for the effective utilisation of surplus renewable energy in a manner that prioritises individuals and households experiencing energy poverty. We are seeing in various news reports that families are starting to choose between heating their home and eating. That should not be a reality in modern Ireland in 2025. According to the most recent ESRI report, 550,000 households in the Republic of Ireland had that choice in the last year. Fuel poverty is not just about discomfort; it carries profound health consequences as well. Cold homes contribute to respiratory illness and poor mental health, and exacerbate the existing vulnerabilities of older people and younger children, and those living with illness.

It is not an abstract policy that I am talking about. I have personally witnessed the pain of fuel poverty through the homeless organisation I am connected with, which I founded in 2006. Working in that sector, I have met families trying to keep their children warm in overcrowded accommodation or accommodation that is not suitable. I have seen individuals doing all they can to rebuild their lives from marginalisation but unable to afford basic heat. The stress, shame and all of that would erode dignity. The suffering is made more unacceptable when we consider that Ireland has wasted more than €2.1 billion worth of renewable energy over the past eight years. That is 7,022 GWh of clean wind energy, enough to power billions of hot water tanks which are currently left unused. While families shiver in cold homes, we are turning off clean energy at source. That is not just inefficiency; it is questionable and possibly indefensible.

A national strategy is urgently needed, one that champions surplus renewable energy being directly focused towards those experiencing fuel poverty. I am asking the Minister to commit to publishing a strategy with measurable targets for how surplus energy can be deployed to support the vulnerable households I mentioned. From my own experience, it is not abstract or wishful thinking innovation or distant climate goals. It is about justice and compassion and makes total common sense. When we waste energy, we lose more than just efficiency. We lose the opportunity to help the people I have mentioned. Such a strategy would incorporate social equality such that everybody would be treated equally on all energy planning nationally. Climate action must be for everyone, not just those who can afford it. The programme for Government promised to explore these solutions but now it is time to act, not with another report but with real policy change. Let us ensure that no family is left in the cold. As an approved housing body in Greystones, Tiglin has accommodation for individuals. We work with EnergyCloud and have set about reusing surplus energy. It has worked amazingly. If that could be put into a national plan, it would be amazing.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome that it recognises the importance of surplus renewable energy in shaping a fairer energy future for us all. However, I have to express concern that, without a defined strategy or measurable targets, we risk missing a crucial opportunity and wasting over 7,000 GWh of clean energy while hundreds of households going without heat or affordable bills.

I urge the Minister of State to commit to a cross-departmental national strategy that prioritises the needs of those most impacted by fuel poverty. We have the technology, the resources and the mandate from our climate commitments. What is needed now is leadership and urgency. I believe the ambition. Let us turn it into action and ensure that no one goes cold while clean power goes unused.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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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.