Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
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177. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the means by which the Government is supporting investment in energy storage to complement wind generation and ensure supply stability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58543/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland (ESPF) which was published by my Department in July 2024, includes 10 Government actions to support the role of grid connected electricity storage systems in Ireland’s energy transition.

Action #5 of the policy framework supports full market access and revenue stacking for electricity storage systems. The present revenues streams available to electricity storage assets include capacity contracts, system service contracts, the Renewable Energy Support Scheme (RESS), the wholesale electricity markets and a demand flexibility contract on the distribution grid.

Capacity contracts for electricity storage via the Capacity Remuneration Mechanism (CRM) are funded via the capacity market and associated capacity charges.

System services contracts for electricity storage assets are funded through networks charges via the DS3 programme.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is funded through the Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy. As part of the RESS, electricity storage assets may receive funding if they are co-located with renewable generators (wind or solar) behind the same meter point.

The Energy Storage Power Station initiative of the Schedule and Dispatch programme, scheduled for Go-live in November 2025, will also facilitate greater access for storage systems to the intra-day and balancing markets of the Single Electricity Market.

Separately action #6 of the Policy Framework supports both the system operators, in conjunction with CRU, in the development of respective route to market products suitable to procure 500MW of Demand Flexibility and 500MW of long duration electricity storage to the distribution and transmission systems respectively.