Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Electricity Generation

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

435. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the carbon capture and storage study has been completed; if his attention has been drawn to the report; and if not, when the study will be completed and published. [29031/18]

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

436. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department is engaging with stakeholders in respect of the future of the Kinsale gas field; and if plans have been made in relation to the potential for carbon capture. [29032/18]

Photo of Seán KyneSeán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 435 and 436 together.

The 2015 Energy White Paper envisages that, for the medium term, gas will remain a critical component of our electricity generation mix as we transition to a low carbon energy system. In this context, there may be a role for carbon capture and storage (CCS).

Subject to commercial and technical considerations, CCS could facilitate decarbonisation of our electricity sector. This technology involves capturing carbon dioxide from power stations and transporting it to geological storage sites.

In the period 2012 to 2014, Geological Survey Ireland (GSI), which is part of my Department,  engaged in a joint project with the British Geological Survey, re-assessing shared saline aquifer basins in the Irish Sea and their suitability for possible CO2 storage. Extant seismic and well data were reassessed for the Central Irish Sea Basin and the north-eastern part of the North Celtic Sea Basin. The report is available on the GSI website www.gsi.ie under the CCS section. The study found that while well data are generally favourable, the basins studied are structurally complex, with a lot of faulting that compartmentalises potential reservoir units and no obvious large storage site was identified. The study indicated that there is scope to extend this study to other basins that might be more favourable, particularly in the south Celtic Sea.

As outlined in the National Mitigation Plan, a watching brief is being maintained on this developing technology and related research and further studies will be carried out as appropriate.

Officials in my Department have met with Ervia, the parent company of Gas Networks Ireland, to discuss the potential for CCS in Ireland in particular in respect of the Kinsale gas fields, which are coming to the end of their productive life and will commence decommissioning in the next few years.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.