Energy Efficiency

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017

Wednesday, 26 July 2017

Questions (1266, 1269)

James Browne

Question:

1266. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount that has been paid to renewable energy operators to curtail or dump energy; the corresponding amount of energy that was curtailed over the same period in each of the past five years, in tabular form; his views on the level of moneys being paid; if his attention has been drawn to plans to use this energy in a more efficient way; his plans for legislative changes in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35025/17]

James Browne

Question:

1269. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the amount and value of the renewable energy that will be curtailed or spilled over the next number of years that is not brought onto the energy grid in view of the increase in the sources of renewable energy; if his Department has compiled research on this matter; if his attention has been further drawn to research in this area; the likely costs arising from the ongoing curtailing and spilling of energy; his views on whether the level of curtailment and spilling of energy is contributing to increased energy bills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35029/17]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1266 and 1269 together.

Under the Electricity Regulation (Amendment) (Single Electricity Market) Act 2007, regulation of the Single Electricity Market (SEM),  including its detailed rules as set out in the Trading and Settlement Code, is the responsibility of the SEM Committee. The SEM Committee consists of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the Utility Regulator Northern Ireland (URegNI) and an independent member, with each entity having one vote.

The operation and administration of the Single Electricity Market is managed by the Single Electricity Market Operator (SEMO). The SEMO is a joint venture between the transmission system operator for Ireland, EirGrid plc., and the system operator for Northern Ireland Limited. The SEMO is licensed and regulated by the CER in Ireland and its counterpart in Northern Ireland, the URegNI.

I have no function in the day-to-day operational matters of the CER, of the SEM Operator or of the SEM Committee.

The transmission system operators (TSOs) on the island are required to report to the CER and URegNI on why renewable energy was dispatched-down and the measures being taken to prevent inappropriate curtailment. EirGrid’s Annual Wind Constraint and Curtailment Report also includes data relating to research done as part of the work streams. Details of curtailed (dispatched-down) energy in the SEM over the past 6 years are set out in Appendix B of the latest report (available at http://www.eirgridgroup.com/).

The following table details payments made to renewable electricity generators from 2011 to 2015. Figures for 2016 are not yet available.

Calendar Year	Time Weighted Average System Marginal price ( SMP) (€/MWh)	Annual Curtailed/Constrained Volume (MWh)	Estimated energy payments to Variable Renewable Generation curtailed/constrained (€)
2011	61.77	105,917	6,542,493
2012	63.17	80,908	5,110,958
2013	65.67	118,067	7,753,460
2014	56.66	165,477	9,375,927
2015	50.71	275,162	13,953,465

The SEM Committee decided in SEM-13-010 www.semcommittee.com that curtailment payments will not arise in certain situations from 1 January 2018 onwards.

In tandem, Eirgrid’s DS3 Programme aims to deliver an increase in the level of wind that the system can handle, and reduce the level of curtailment incurred. In regard to curtailment and its contribution to energy bills, while there is a cost associated with constraining off or down some renewable generators, the aggregate impact on consumer bills of increased renewables is a positive one.