Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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My Commencement matter is about the electricity storage policy framework ten-point action plan, in particular section 4, which promises to establish a stakeholder forum for electricity storage projects. Electricity storage is vital if we are to meet our renewable energy and climate targets. How it is delivered matters just as much as the technology. I will highlight a case of proposed battery energy storage in Newmarket in my area in County Cork. Residents there have never been consulted. Decisions have been made over their heads, leaving them feeling excluded and ignored. Naturally, they are feeling dismissed and unheard. Communities like this are not against renewable energy. Far from it, in fact, but rural Ireland has already carried a huge share of wind farms, pylons and energy infrastructure. Rural communities are not dumping grounds. Projects cannot simply be dropped into towns and villages without engagement, transparency or accountability. Action No. 4 must be more than just a line in a policy. The stakeholder forum must give local people a seat at the table with early consultation, accessible information and real influence on outcomes. Otherwise, projects like Newmarket will only deepen mistrust and resistance.

How will the stakeholder forum be structured to guarantee communities and not just industry are represented? What measures will the Department take to ensure lessons from Newmarket are applied nationally? How will the Department ensure rural Ireland is treated as a partner in climate action and not just a convenient location for infrastructure nobody else wants? The success of our transition depends on partnerships with communities. Rural Ireland is ready to play our part but it must be done with respect, not imposition.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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I will read out a detailed and lengthy reply. If the Senator wants to collaborate more, please request that at the end.

In line with the climate action plan actions, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment published the electricity storage policy framework for Ireland in July 2024. The policy framework, through ten Government actions, supports the incorporation of electricity storage systems into the grid network. The policy framework recognises that electricity storage systems of different types, strengths, durations, emission limits and technological make-up are required to be incorporated into the grid system. In line with this, as per action No. 1, the framework and all associated actions are technology neutral.

The most relevant action to the topic at hand is No. 4, which is to convene an electricity storage stakeholder forum. This action recognises the importance of a co-ordinated approach by all relevant stakeholders in ensuring that electricity storage systems play their role in the energy transition. The forum was successfully held in quarter 4 2024 and brought together participants with various perspectives on the topic of electricity storage. This included relevant statutory bodies, leading industry representatives, academic or interest groups, and representatives of the public. Community engagement and messaging were two topics discussed at the forum. A full report of the forum that outlines its participants, context, content and outcomes can be found on the Department’s website.

The policy framework contains other important actions. Action No. 2 of the policy framework actions the creation of a sandbox project to advance both system operators’ technological knowledge of emerging electricity storage systems. The Department has engaged on the sandbox with both of the system operators through the joint system operator programme, JSOP. Further work towards the sandbox can be expected in quarter 1 of 2026. Action No. 3 of the policy framework convenes an electricity storage and system services working group under the accelerating renewable electricity task force. The work is comprised of the four main statutory institutions responsible for the incorporation of electricity storage into the grid network - CRU, ESB Networks, EirGrid and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. The aim of the project group is to ensure the necessary programmes and elements of electricity storage from across the four stakeholders’ remits are delivered in a timely manner. This working group meets bimonthly and has had nine meetings to date.

The response refers to actions Nos. 5, 6, 7 and so on but I think action No. 4 is the relevant action in this case, which is adequate community stakeholder engagement. The report is available on the Department's website in terms of the processes and outcomes of the stakeholder meetings. I think the Senator is highlighting that smaller communities in rural Ireland feel they are overlooked or bypassed when it comes to these discussions. I hope we all agree there is an urgent need for delivery of renewables, which the Senator outlined. This will mean urban and rural parts of Ireland will play their part in delivering wind, solar, etc. In order to reach our emissions reduction and renewable energy targets, we need to bring rural communities with us. Bypassing them in the initial stages will have an impact on that. I would like to hear more about the experience in the Senator's communities and how they feel impacted by that.

Nicole Ryan (Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for the time and effort he has put into this matter - I know it is not his brief per se - but the response did not deal with the core issue. It had nothing to with the price of milk, so to speak. I am talking about action No. 4 specifically.The issue is the people in Newmarket felt they just were not heard. They were just completely bypassed. It is a trend for rural areas. We would not put these kinds of projects in urban areas - people just would not accept it - but in rural Ireland we are supposed to just accept it, take it lying down and not have any issue with it. Nobody is opposed to energy or having renewable energy and climate action. Rural communities are more than welcoming of this. The problem is they are not consulted. It is done over their heads where people just give planning permission to these organisations and companies to make profit. Some of this electricity will not be seen in the community but it is the communities that have to carry the brunt of it and all the associated risks, especially a battery storage plant.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail)
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According to action No. 4, in terms of participation and those who are supposed to be consulted it says that included in this are relevant statutory, bodies, leading industry representations and academic or interest groups and representatives of the public. I suppose the interpretation of that needs to be delved into further. What covers representatives of the public? Surely, one would imagine, that would include a broader or more inclusive discussion with the public. That is certainly feedback I will bring back to the Minister.

We have a fine balance to reach here. We do need renewable energy. I still believe that onshore wind, as controversial as that may be, plays a part in that as does solar and, of course, electricity storage. However, as I said, we need to bring the community with us. I think that is the point the Senator is making and it can only be done by meaningful engagement.