Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The Review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable and secure, as well as in line with Ireland’s climate targets and statutory carbon budgets. Underpinned by these objectives, the review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies, and a range of mitigation measures, including the need for additional capacity of indigenous renewable energy but also energy imports, energy storage, fuel diversification, demand side response and renewable gases (such as hydrogen). The completion of the review is a key priority. Once completed, I will bring my recommendations to Government for consideration.

The responsibility for securing insurance cover on energy projects is a matter for individual project developers.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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129. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to report on the current work being undertaken by his Department on security of energy supply; to outline, in the context of the Government decision to build over 2,000 megawatts of new gas-powered electricity plants; if it has been considered that an indigenous gas supply would provide a reliable source of low emission energy for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28741/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department is currently finalising its review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems. The Review is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050.

The Government’s policy objectives are to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable and secure, as well as in line with Ireland’s climate targets and statutory carbon budgets. Underpinned by these objectives, the review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies, and a range of mitigation measures, including the need for additional capacity of indigenous renewable energy but also energy imports, energy storage, fuel diversification, demand side response and renewable gases (such as hydrogen). To support its development, a detailed technical analysis has also been published and a consultation process carried out, providing important insights on the range of options that could be implemented to support Ireland’s security of supply framework.

The completion of the review is a key priority and once completed, I will bring my recommendations to Government for consideration.

The Government's policy statement on security of electricity supply sets out that the development of new flexible gas-fired generation capacity is a national priority and should be permitted and supported in order to ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation. The policy statement supports the need to deliver at least 2 GW of new flexible gas-fired generation which is outlined in the Climate Action Plan 2023. As set out in EirGrid's Generation Capacity Statement 2022-2031, much of this new capacity is needed to replace older high-emitting power stations, such as those fuelled by oil and coal, which are due to close over the coming years. New plants are sought via regular capacity market auctions for delivery over the coming years. It is important to note that the development of flexible gas-fired generation is to provide security of supply and support high levels of renewable electricity generation.