Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will confirm the total capacity, in MW, of all new flexible gas-fired power generation plants under construction since November 2021 (details supplied). [7984/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As set out in the 2021 'Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply', the development of new conventional gas fired generation is a national priority and should be permitted and supported. This will ensure security of electricity supply and support the growth of renewable electricity generation.

Dispatchable generation, such as gas fired generation, is necessary to meet electricity demand at times of low renewable output, however this generation capacity is procured by the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEM-C) through the capacity market. As such the majority of the Deputy's query should be directed to the CRU as Irelands representatives on the SEM-C in the first instance.

The CRU is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action. The CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on energy regulatory matters, such as the matter raised in this question, to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.

With regard to the 2GW target I understand that the capacity market has procured approx. 2.4GW of dispatchable generation in Ireland since 2021 to be delivered by 2029, of which circa 1.8GW is gas fired. However, there are several risks related to project delivery, and EirGrids Generation Capacity Statement 2023 assesses that 1.4 GW is likely to be delivered. This risk adjusted figure does not take into account the last two published auction results for delivery in 2027 & 2028 where another 313MW of new gas fired generation has been procured.

The SEM-C will continue to procure additional dispatchable capacity through capacity market auctions to meet forecasted demand from the all-island system as required, to ensure system security.

My Department does not hold data on planning matters or comment on individual capacity market projects.