Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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38. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to his commitment to increase the delivery of offshore renewable energy around the coast, in line with our future energy commitments, the engagements he has had with Eirgrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40007/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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EirGrid, as the certified independent transmission system operator in Ireland, will play a vital and central role in the expansion of Ireland’s offshore grid. As per Statutory Instrument 445/2000, EirGrid will operate and ensure the maintenance of and, if necessary, develop a safe, secure, reliable, economical and efficient electricity transmission system, and to explore and develop opportunities for interconnection of its system with other systems, in all cases with a view to ensuring that all reasonable demands for electricity are met and having due regard for the environment.

The 2021 Policy Statement on the Framework for Ireland’s Offshore Electricity Transmission System set out EirGrid’s intended role relating to offshore grid development.

EirGrid is one of the member organisations of the Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, a cross-Departmental Taskforce which I established in April 2022 in order to accelerate and drive delivery, and to capture the wider and longer term economic and business opportunities associated with the development of Offshore Renewable Energy in Ireland. A key output of the Taskforce is the Offshore Wind Energy Programme (OWEP), which brings together the work to deliver offshore wind into one system-wide plan.

Electricity interconnection will play a key role in energy security and as an export route for surplus renewable energy. Under the Joint Declaration of Intent with France, EirGrid are exploring a second interconnector beyond Celtic Interconnector due to be completed in 2027, and under the Joint Statement with Ireland. Belgium and UK are exploring interconnection options between the 3 countries.

I regularly meet with Eirgrid senior management on the offshore programme and other energy priorities, most recently I met the Chair and Interim CEO on the 20th September.

I also attend the Taskforce which meets approximately every eight weeks and have direct engagement with relevant workstream leads and officials, including Eirgrid.