Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 March 2021
14. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions being taken to prepare the electricity network for the increase in the use of electric vehicles and the need for more charging points. [13746/21]
View answerESBN Networks, as the sole Distribution System Operator (DSO) licensed by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) under section 14(1)(g) of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 (ERA 1999), is responsible for discharging the functions of the DSO under the Act. Accordingly, ESBN is responsible for operating and maintaining a secure, reliable and efficient electricity distribution system in line with the CRU licence, including any measures necessary to prepare the network for, inter alia, an increase in the use of electric vehicles. I have no role in this independently regulated function.
In 2020, ESBN published an Electrification of Heat and Transport Strategy, which can be found on the ESBN website, https://esbnetworks.ie/docs/default-source/publications/2020_electrification-of-heat-and-transport-strategy-updated.pdf?sfvrsn=c28f01f0_4.
The Government’s policy regarding the increased usage of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is primarily driven by the Climate Action Plan 2019 which sets a target of 936,000 EVs by 2030, supported by the rollout of additional high capacity EV charging points on the inter urban network and grants for the installation of home chargers.
The Programme for Government commits to publishing an electric vehicles infrastructure strategy. Once completed, the strategy will provide a key framework for ensuring we continue to have sufficient infrastructure in place to keep ahead of demand, while also ensuring that appropriate planning and development guidelines are followed in providing the necessary capacity. I will publish the strategy this year in my role as Minister for Transport.
