Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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58. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department conducted a feasibility study regarding the reopening of Derrybrien windfarm considering that this windfarm is able to provide additional power into the national grid within a matter of weeks once recommissioned; the additional measures that are being taken to alleviate the risk of electrical blackouts or controlled grid shutdown this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48790/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Derrybrien wind farm development has been the subject of European Commission infringement proceedings pursuant to infringement case 2000/4384 and judgements of the Court of Justice of the European Union in cases C-215/06 and C-261/18.  On 4 February 2022, An Bord Pleanála (ABP) decided to refuse to grant substitute consent for the wind farm development at Derrybrien having conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).   ESB paused the operation of the wind farm at Derrybrien, on 15 February 2022, following the decision by ABP.  On 16 March 2022, ESB confirmed that they have decided to close the Derrybrien wind farm on a permanent basis and ESB will not be seeking to challenge the decision of ABP by way of judicial review to the High Court.  On foot of the refusal by ABP to grant substitute consent for the wind farm, the EIA regularisation process for the Derrybrien wind farm has ended.  

The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has responsibility for ensuring security of electricity supply and is directly responsible for the performance of its functions to a Joint Committee of the Oireachtas.  The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters, with the support of EirGrid and my Department. The programme, which was published in September 2021, contains a number of both demand-side and supply-side mitigation measures to address any potential shortfall. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website.  The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks this winter and lower peak demand during this period. In the extreme event that electricity demand exceeds supply, EirGrid and ESB Networks have emergency plans in place with detailed procedures to safely operate the system.