Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
145. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the basis for microgeneration not being included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, a concept previously referenced in the Climate Action Plan 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22805/21]
View answerThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 will establish a legally binding framework with clear targets and commitments set in law, and provide that the necessary structures and processes are embedded on a statutory basis to ensure Ireland achieves its national, EU and international climate goals and obligations in the near and long term. The Bill will enact a number of commitments set out in the Programme for Government, including providing that the first two carbon budgets should achieve a 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and giving statutory effect to a commitment to achieve a climate neutral economy by not later than 2050.In order to achieve the statutory objective, the Bill also introduces a number of new policy instruments, including a series of successive carbon budgets and sectoral targets, annual revisions to the Climate Action Plan, and a National Long Term Climate Action Strategy.
Under the Climate Action Plan, a Micro-Generation working group, chaired by my Department, is developing an enabling framework for micro-generation which tackles existing barriers and establishes suitable supports within relevant market segments. The proposed support mechanism was outlined in a public consultation launched in January (now closed) and the submissions received are currently being reviewed. The Programme for Government commits to prioritising the development of micro-generation of electricity primarily for self-consumption, and a suitable payment for excess electricity generated on site and exported to the grid will be available to all micro-generators in the second half of 2021, subject to regulatory arrangements, in line with Articles 21 and 22 of the recast Renewable Energy Directive. It is intended that all relevant provisions of the Directive will be transposed into Irish law prior to the transposition deadline of 30 June 2021.
