Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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159. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when stakeholders can expect the consultation on private wires and direct lines to be released in relation to data centres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45917/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan 2021 includes a commitment to review the policy position on the development of private networks/direct lines (Action 115). A consultation paper on policy options for private wires was due to be published in Q1 of this year. Unfortunately, the consultation has been delayed, however work on progressing this matter is ongoing within my Department and a consultation will issue shortly.

I appreciate that private wires/direct lines are an issue that is of interest and importance to many stakeholders, including Data Centres in particular given the recent publication of the ‘Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy’. Publishing a consultation and, ultimately, providing a clear policy position on the issue of private wires/direct lines is a priority for my Department. My officials look forward to engaging with interested stakeholders as they continue to develop this important policy area.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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160. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the level of current activity in installing small scale solar capacity with battery backup; and if he will consider introducing greater incentives towards this activity as a cost-effective means of supplementing the national generation capacity. [45923/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action Plan 2021 commits to the development of a support scheme for small-scale non domestic generators (above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS). This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition and a consultation on proposed high-level design features of the scheme has now been published and is available at gov.ie - Consultation on a Small-Scale Generation Support Scheme (SSG) in Ireland (www.gov.ie) In relation to current Solar schemes with battery back-up, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) who administer Solar PV grants under the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), undertook an assessment of continuing the previous battery grants under the MSS and found that with the current high cost of batteries, coupled with their low storage capabilities of only a few hours and their relatively short lifetime (currently in the region of 10 years); that a stand-alone battery grant did not represent efficient use of limited Exchequer funds.

It should be noted that micro-generation installations including battery storage systems are still eligible for grant support under the MSS but there is now no need to install a battery to avail of the maximum grant and, with the introduction of the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), any residual renewable electricity not consumed on the premises is now eligible for an export payment which further supports the investment.