Written answers
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Energy Usage
Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the steps being taken by his Department to support the deployment of demand flexibility technologies in Ireland’s electricity system, with a view to reducing renewable energy curtailment and maximising the use of surplus wind power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56765/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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Various steps are being taken by my Department and relevant bodies under its aegis to support the deployment of demand flexibility technologies. As referenced in the CRU led National Energy Demand Strategy, front of meter, grid connected electricity storage can assist with demand flexibility on the distribution system.
Action #6 of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland supports the immediate incorporation of 500mw of demand flexibility onto the distribution system. In line with Action #6 and in conjunction with CRU, ESB Networks have developed a procurement mechanism for demand flexibility. The call for tender for the first batch of 109MW is now live, with further batches expected over the coming years.
Curtailment refers to the reduction in output of generation units because of system wide issues. Curtailment is one element of dispatch down which also includes constraint, local issues, and oversupply, generation exceeding demand. As Transmission System Operator, EirGrid have responsibility for the development of the transmission system and the management of dispatch down. EirGrid are independent of the Minister and operate under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
EirGrid has produced data sets showing the likely locations, volumes, and load profile of surplus renewables on our electricity grid out to 2030 as per Action #1 of the National Hydrogen Strategy. The National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce will build on this work to develop the business case for producing hydrogen from surplus renewables.
Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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216. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if his Department or any State agency is engaging with the EnergyCloud initiative, which uses surplus renewable energy to provide free hot water and heating to households experiencing energy poverty; if he will consider supporting or co-funding pilot projects aimed at integrating demand-flexible technologies such as smart immersions, heat pumps, batteries and storage heaters into Irish homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56766/25]
Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is acutely aware that with the scale of distributed renewable electricity generation sources coming forward, the grid needs to be more flexible to account for the intermittent nature of renewables. Moreover, for the decarbonisation pathway to be efficient, our energy system must be smart. A smart and flexible energy system will reduce consumer energy bills by reducing the amount of generation and network assets that need to be built to meet peak demand. Consequently, the deployment and integration of:
- Energy Smart Appliances such as electric vehicle (EV) charge points;
- domestic battery energy storage systems;
- heat pumps; and
- hot water heating solutions
My Department established the Smart Energy Services Working Group (SESWG) under the 2023 Climate Action Plan with the objective of developing "measures and policy that facilitate and empower consumers to benefit from engagement in the energy transition, through active participation in the energy market and flexible demand management services". The SESWG identified a number of priority focus areas including the development of Smart-Flex standards to support the integration and interoperability of consumer energy assets, such smart appliances, Heat Pumps, EVs and solar PV systems. The 2025 Climate Action Plan includes an action to "Develop a Smart-flex Standards Roadmap" which will set out the pathway for mandating energy smart appliance capabilities, in line with crucial consumer empowerment measures required under the EU Electricity Market Design changes.
A new Demonstration and Innovation Delivery Programme is also under development by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland with the intention of identifying solutions to smart energy challenges, testing applications and assessing impacts. This will be crucial for the successful integration of flexible energy assets in homes, businesses and communities and will ensure that these assets can optimise energy use for consumers, as well as allow consumers to participate in flexible demand management services as these become available.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce has also been established by my Department to identify, assess and implement measures that will enhance energy affordability for households and businesses, while delivering key renewable commitments and protecting security of supply and economic stability. The core objectives of the Taskforce include drafting an interim plan identifying measures to support energy consumers and an Energy Affordability Action Plan. It will consider the use of smart technologies, such as those used by EnergyCloud, and other smart energy technology and service providers, to benefit energy poor households and other vulnerable citizens.
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