Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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69. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when he expects a conclusion to the energy security review; if he will be bringing forward legislation on a strategic emergency gas reserve to ensure that it is State owned, that it does not increase demand, and that it is used only in situations where technically necessary to bring safe supply to customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37331/24]

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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70. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the estimated first year and full-year cost of implementing the electricity storage policy framework. [37339/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications recently, on July 4th, published the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland, which expresses the Government’s support for Electricity Storage Systems.

The Policy Framework addresses the role of grid-scale storage on the electricity network in the immediate and near term, outlining the present roles, technical processes, market positions and regulatory structures of electricity storage in Ireland. Further, the policy framework presents 10 Government actions to support the role of electricity storage in Ireland’s energy transition.

Action #6 of the Policy Framework supports the immediate procurement of up to 500MW of storage by the distribution system operator (ESB Networks) through its new Demand Flexibility Product and 500MW of long-duration electricity storage by the transmission system operator (EirGrid) to meet network needs. Further information on the respective system operator products may be available from ESB Networks or EirGrid. Further information on the regulation of storage in Ireland can be supplied by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) who are responsible for, inter alia, electricity grid connection policy and the economic regulation of the electricity system operators ESB Networks, distribution, and EirGrid, transmission.

Action #7-#10 of the Policy Framework aim to identify and incorporate the optimum amount of electricity storage to meet Ireland’s needs up to 2040, by ensuring the continued investment in electricity storage capable of meeting these needs. As these actions are in their infancy, no information on their estimated implementation costs can be provided at this time; however, further updates will be given in due course.

Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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71. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the Government has invested in, or has plans to invest in, district heating systems; and if so, to provide details of the investment. [37340/24]