Written answers
Wednesday, 29 November 2023
Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment
Electricity Grid
Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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18. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to outline in detail the projected size requirement of the Irish electricity grid to power all the heating required for buildings, both domestic and commercial, as set out in the climate action plan using joule heat (heat pumps), in comparison to today's grid size; the financial costs of doing so; how this investment will be funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52679/23]
Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for the regulation of the distribution and transmission system operators. The Deputy is reminded that the CRU is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not to me as Minister.
Eirgrid, the Transmission System Operator, in July 2023 published an updated version of “Shaping Our Electricity Future”, which is a plan led approach to deliver an electricity system to meet Ireland’s Climate Action targets and Carbon Budgets while allowing for electricity demand growth. Implementing the required changes at transmission level will see over 350 projects undertaken. ESB Networks, the Distribution System Operator, in January 2023 published their “Networks for Net Zero” Strategy which outlines its commitment to futureproofing Ireland’s electricity network, meeting our 2030 goals, and enabling Ireland’s goal of net zero by 2025.
In relation to electrical wiring within a home, each situation is unique and the need to upgrade domestic wiring would be a matter for the consumer, depending on the electrical appliances that they have, the existing condition of their electrical wiring and their future plans with respect to replacing their existing heating or transport solutions Therefore, the cost involved in making necessary improvements will depend on each household’s specific circumstances.
The cost of building, safely operating and maintaining the electricity system is recovered by system operators through charges on customers, all of which is overseen and agreed with the CRU. System operator spending is agreed with the CRU in five-year cycles, referred to as Price Reviews. The current Price Review, PR5, spans the period 2021 to 2025 and will see a capital investment spend of €4 billion in the electricity network. PR5 will play an important role in enabling the transition to a low carbon system by 2030 by facilitating the integration of greater levels of renewable generation into the grid.
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