Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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12. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if there is a list of the number of district heating systems across Dublin. [36393/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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District heating is a proven technology that can play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the heat sector. District heating schemes are generally of a larger scale, supplying heat to a range of buildings that can include public, commercial and/or residential buildings. Group heating schemes are smaller-scale operations typically involving single buildings, apartment complexes or residential housing estates.

Government policy recognises the contribution that efficient district heating can make to Ireland’s climate and energy goals. This is underpinned by the findings of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) 2022 National Heat Study which highlighted significant potential for heat in buildings to be supplied by district heating, particularly in cities and large towns, where demand is concentrated and heat sources are prevalent. The City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (Codema) also estimates that Dublin has enough renewable and waste heat sources in Dublin to heat over 1 million buildings.

To date, there is a single relatively large-scale scheme operational in Ireland, which was developed by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) in Tallaght, supported by the Climate Action Fund. The next phase of this project now being planned by SDCC.

Dublin City Council is also working to develop a large project that will use waste heat from the Dublin Waste to Energy facility in Poolbeg to heat public sector, commercial and residential buildings, initially in the adjacent area with plans to progressively expand into Dublin city. In addition, the Blanchardstown District Heating Project is now being actively progressed by Fingal County Council and Codema. This will seek to take waste heat from a data centre to supply low-carbon heat to public sector, business and residential customers.

My Department is aware of a strong pipeline of further district heating projects, including potential projects both within and outside Dublin. My Department and the District Heating Centre of Excellence in the SEAI are working with project sponsors to try to progress efficient district heating projects. Developing this initial core infrastructure by 2030 would reduce heat-related greenhouse gas emissions from connected buildings this decade. It would also enable many more citizens, businesses and public bodies to decarbonise their homes and buildings throughout the 2030s and beyond.