David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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169. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review by his Department of the security of supply of Ireland’s natural gas and electricity networks; if he is satisfied that the adequacy of supply is sufficient to meet current needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1372/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. This review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation.

A request for tender for the provision of consultancy services to undertake the technical analysis was published in late 2020. The public procurement procedure for the engagement of consultants is ongoing. Following the completion of the technical analysis, the public consultation will commence. I expect that the overall review will be completed by the end of 2021.

In the short-term, the adequacy of supply of electricity and natural gas is set out by EirGrid (for electricity) and Gas Networks Ireland (for natural gas) in their Winter Outlook publications.

A key issue, in the short-term, is the capacity margin in the electricity market. This is the level of excess generation and interconnection available to meet the peak electricity demand. This has reduced in recent years mainly due to increasing demand along with some power stations exiting the market and others not being available to generate when needed. Covid-19 has also impacted the maintenance of power stations reducing availability at key times. 

EirGrid's Winter Outlook highlights the risk of System Alerts which are periods when there is an elevated risk of not being able to meet system demand and/or risk of operational security limits being violated. There have been four System Alerts since August 2020 - most recently on Wednesday 6 January. 

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid are taking a range of actions to ensure adequate generation capacity is available to meet demand. These actions include capacity market auctions which incentivise the development of new generation capacity.

My Department continues to work with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, EirGrid and Gas Networks Ireland to ensure secure supplies of electricity and natural gas to meet Ireland's needs.