Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator, and my Department. The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures. These actions include; procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website. As part of this programme, the Government enacted legislation in July of this year and approved capital funding to support EirGrid’s role in expediting the delivery of temporary generation capacity.

Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.

The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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In March of this year the Energy Security Emergency Group (ESEG) was established to coordinate Ireland’s response to the impacts of the war in Ukraine on our energy system. This ESEG is chaired by my Department and includes relevant State bodies and Departments.

The ESEG has met regularly since its creation and is supported by the work of a number of subgroups which focus on specific areas such as electricity and gas security of supply, oil security of supply, and communications.

The work of the group includes implementing the National Energy Security Framework, ensuring emergency plans are up to date and stress tested, identifying regulatory and other measures to support consumers (particularly financially vulnerable households) and businesses, ensuring security of energy supply, and reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.

Meeting minutes which provide and overview of the activities of the group are uploaded regularly my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/de3cf-energy-security-emergency-group-eseg/.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The UK, from where around three quarters of Ireland’s gas comes, has a diverse source of gas supplies. The UK National Grid Gas Winter Outlook Report 2022 published this month sets out that the Great Britain gas network has significant flexibility in its infrastructure, with a potential capability in excess of the anticipated peak demand that can be reasonably assumed during the winter period. In the event of a Natural Gas Supply Emergency being declared by the Network Emergency Coordinator (NEC) in Great Britain, the Moffat Interconnector will be treated by National Grid the same as a distribution network in Great Britain. In the event of a curtailment on the National Grid network, any reduction in supply to the Moffat Interconnector would be based on the principle  of  proportionality . This procedure is documented between National Grid and Gas Networks Ireland and is tested on an annual basis during the NEC annual emergency exercises, most recently in October 2022.

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 was 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. 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.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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To inform the development of a hydrogen strategy for Ireland, stakeholder views were sought on the broad landscape of potential hydrogen supply, infrastructure, storage, and demand in Ireland, as well as the potential export opportunities for hydrogen. The consultation paper set out various areas of interest to be considered in the development of the hydrogen strategy and invited stakeholders’ responses on specific questions to be answered in this regard. Preparation of the strategy document has begun, and analysis is ongoing of the 122 responses that were received during the public consultation, with a view to publication of the strategy before year-end.  All submissions and views received are being considered during this process, and these will be published on the gov.ie website as set out at the launch of the consultation.  

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My officials engage on an ongoing basis with officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on all aspects of the planning system as it relates to the transition to renewable energy, at both a policy level, and on various legislative provisions.

A recent example of positive collaboration in this respect being the new regulations made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage that significantly expand the planning exemptions for the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of houses and certain non-domestic buildings. These exemptions are aimed at increasing Ireland’s generation of solar energy and combating climate change. It supports a target of installing up to 380MW of microgeneration capacity as part of Ireland’s overall solar targets under the Climate Action Plan.

My Department also participates in the inter-departmental working group run by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of the review of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) and that Department participates in a cross-Government / agency working group run by my officials in respect of the transposition of the relevant aspects of the Renewable Energy Directive into Irish law. The National Energy Security Framework also contains a commitment for both Departments to work together to ensure that the planning system fully supports the transition to renewable energy in the interests of energy security, as expressed in Response 25 of same.  

Our Departments will continue to engage collaboratively on these issues in order to enable Ireland to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach net-zero emissions by no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government and set out in the Climate Act 2021.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Loss and damage is a priority for Ireland’s work on climate change. Ireland’s position is that we urgently need to scale up and improve access to climate finance to reach those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. There is a clear need for increased finance to avert, minimise and address loss and damage when devastating droughts, heat waves, floods, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels destroy lives, livelihoods, and homes. These impacts of climate change are already causing mass displacement, submerging national heritage sites, and causing entire communities to lose their way of life. At COP26, Ireland committed to more than double its climate finance to €225million a year by 2025 to support developing countries, as well as pledging €5million to support operationalising the Santiago Network to catalyse the technical assistance of relevant organisations, bodies, networks and experts, for the implementation of appropriate approaches to averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage at the local, national and regional levels, in developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change. Looking to COP27, Ireland supports progressing dialogue on finance for loss and damage and encourages parties to maximise the value of the Glasgow Dialogue, seeing it as a valuable space for analysis of needs, gaps, and opportunities. Ireland is also ready to work with key stakeholders across the humanitarian, development, and climate sectors, including financial institutions whose existing work is relevant in this space. Through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, Ireland has closed the door on new oil and gas exploration activities. Ireland is committed to enabling sustainable climate resilient development using clean and renewable energy sources and will promote and support measures at an international level which avoid locking in further long-term fossil fuel consumption. To this end, Ireland joined the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance (BOGA) at COP26 to promote dialogue on the need for a managed and just phase-out of oil and gas production. As a core member, Ireland looks forward to actively participating in progressing BOGA priorities this year.