Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the daily requirement of electricity generated and available to the domestic and industrial markets without restriction; the extent to which this is compliant with public service obligations such as the need to ensure continuity of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3674/19]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Electricity Security of Supply Report 2018 published by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities on 8 November 2018, points to peak daily system electricity demand in Ireland recorded during 2017 was close to, but slightly higher than, 5GW. The full report is available on the CRU website: As the Deputy is aware, the PSO levy has been in place since 2001 and consists of a set of support schemes designed to facilitate national electricity policy objectives for renewables, indigenous fuels and security of supply. It has successfully delivered on these objectives, with a total amount of renewable generation connected to the electricity grid of 3,938 Mega Watts (MW) in November 2018, the vast majority of which was comprised of onshore wind generation.

The Generation Capacity Statement published annually by EirGrid provides a forecast of expected electricity demand and the level of generation capacity that will be required on the island over the next ten years, using a range of scenarios. Under a median demand forecast, EirGrid currently anticipates Ireland’s total electricity requirement peak will exceed 6.5 GW by 2026. This data is used to plan for future electricity generation adequacy, security of supply, and associated network enhancements. The latest Generation Capacity Statement, entitled the “ All-Island Generation Capacity Statement 2018-2027”, is available on the EirGrid website:

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