Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
179. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has evaluated the loss of a day’s gas supply to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30775/21]
View answerThe loss of natural gas supply to Ireland is considered by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities by way of Risk Assessment and the preparation of Preventive Action Plans and Emergency Plans which ensure that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard an uninterrupted supply of gas. The risk assessment and plans are required by Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 concerning measures to safeguard the security of gas supply. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is Ireland’s designated Competent Authority for this EU regulation. The Risk Assessment takes into account various scenarios, both short and long term gas supply disruptions and assesses the likely consequences. The Preventive Action Plan and the Emergency Plans contain measures to remove or mitigate identified risks to gas supply disruption.
Furthermore, my Department is carrying out a review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems which is focusing on the period to 2030 in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The review includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation.
The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050.
It is planned that the technical analysis will be published and the public consultation undertaken in the second half of this year. The review, once completed, will be submitted to Government.
