James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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243. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current EirGrid consultation Shaping our Electricity Future projects that Ireland’s national energy security requires the construction of an additional 2,000 MW of gas-fired power stations by 2030; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the installation of such gas-fired power stations is not conducive with achieving the net zero aims of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021; if his attention has been further drawn to the ESB announcement in March 2021 that it will not proceed with building two new gas-fired stations on economic grounds thus potentially jeopardising Ireland’s low-carbon energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17509/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government commits to an average 7% per annum reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions from 2021 to 2030 - a 51% reduction over the decade - and to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

On 23 March 2021, the Government approved the final text of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill which will support Ireland’s transition to net zero and achieve a climate neutral economy by no later than 2050. Under the legislation, Governments are required to adopt a series of economy-wide five-year carbon budgets, including relevant sectoral targets, on a rolling 15-year basis, starting in 2021. Actions for each sector will be detailed in the Climate Action Plan, updated annually and a National Long Term Climate Action Strategy will be prepared every five years.

EirGrid's public consultation on “Shaping our Electricity Future” aims to make the electricity grid stronger and more flexible so that it can a carry lot more renewable generation. EirGrid’s consultation will align with Ireland’s strategy to further reduce electricity emissions which will be set out in this year’s revision to the Climate Action Plan. EirGrid estimate that in order to continue to meet the high standards of security of supply, while installing a high level of variable wind and solar renewable generation, approximately 1,500 – 2,000 MW of high efficiency and high availability generation is needed. This is required to replace the generation capacity exiting (such as peat and coal) and to meet growing demand. EirGrid expect that gas will play a key role in meeting this requirement.

The major ramp up in the levels of renewables on our power grid and the move to a highly electrified economy means we also need to ensure security of supply to provide a reliable electricity service to households and businesses. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid  both have responsibilities to ensure security of electricity supply. A key mechanism to achieve this is the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) under the overall regulatory supervision of the SEM Committee. The most recent CRM auction, for the 2024/25 capacity year, was in January 2021 and the results were approved by the SEM Committee at the end of February. Following the initial assessment of this auction, the SEM Committee published a consultation about holding a T-3 auction for the 2024/25 capacity year, which is expected to be held in January 2022. 

My Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The review will include a detailed technical analysis and a public consultation. It is planned that the review will be completed by the end of 2021.

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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244. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the SEAI 2020 Energy Security Report identifies small scale nuclear energy as a potentially viable solution for Ireland; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the legislation does not permit nuclear fission electricity generation here but does not prevent the use of such electricity if it is generated in a different country which severely restricts EirGrid and State research bodies from examining nuclear energy as an option for Ireland to use fully decarbonised electricity (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17510/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Nuclear powered electricity generation plants are prohibited in Ireland. Whilst I am aware that some research studies have noted nuclear power as a potential technology that could be considered, the Government has no plans to revisit the prohibition on, or explore the development of, nuclear powered electricity generation in Ireland.