Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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40. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn by Eirgrid of the level of capital investment required to improve the grid system over the period to 2030 given the fact that in scenarios in Eirgrid’s document, Tomorrow's Energy, it identifies grid investment as either high or very high across the country; the way in which this level of investment is being provided for; the level of detail available to his Department from Eirgrid regarding the exact locations in which this investment is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42469/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for the oversight of the costs associated with the national electricity grid.  Part of this remit is to determine the appropriate level of funding that the electricity network system operators, EirGrid and ESB Networks, require in order to efficiently deliver on the strategic objectives while safely operating the system. This is conducted through the Price Review process in five yearly intervals. There will be two price reviews over the decade to 2030, one of which will be decided on by CRU in the coming weeks. The costs for grid investment covered by regulatory price reviews are borne by electricity consumers and not funded through the Exchequer. The strategic objectives for the price review out to 2025 are: facilitating a secure low carbon future, transforming the role of the distribution system operator (ESB Networks), increasing efficiency and protecting customers and ensuring security of supply.

The CRU as part of its oversight has issued a draft determination for funding over the next five years to the end of 2025 (PR5 - Price Review 5) and this determination can be found on the CRU website. It indicates a spend of €6.78 billion. This is a draft decision and the final determination is expected in the coming weeks. 

This price review covers up to 2025 only and thus does not fully factor in all the requirements of the Government's Climate Action Plan or Programme for Government, including substantive electrification of heat and transport commitments and the delivery of at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The System Operators are assessing what the potential costs are for the grid to deliver on such commitments. 

EirGrid publishes a variety of reports, some on an annual basis, such as the Transmission Development Plan, the Transmission Forecast Statement and the Generation Capacity Statement, all of which provide detailed analysis of grid development needs and projects.