Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
144. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to foster the use of green hydrogen in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55616/21]
View answer145. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the State supports which are available to support the adoption of green hydrogen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55618/21]
View answer146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the European Commission hydrogen strategy; the extent to which his Department has engaged with the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55619/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 to 146, inclusive, together.
The Programme for Government recognises the need for research and development of hydrogen from renewable sources, known as ‘green hydrogen’, for use in power generation and as a zero-emission energy source in difficult-to-decarbonise sectors such as transport and industry.
While there are no specific supports for green hydrogen currently in place, the role of green hydrogen and the need for its future development have been set out in the 2021 Climate Action Plan, which was published on 4 November 2021. The role of green hydrogen could include providing a back-up for intermittent renewables, seasonal storage of renewable energy to replace today's fossil fuel storage systems (used in electricity, industry, heating in buildings, and transport) and security and resilience in energy supplies.
In July 2020, the European Commission published a hydrogen strategy for a carbon-neutral Europe. Ireland supported the hydrogen strategy, including the need to deploy green hydrogen in line with the Programme for Government. It is expected that green hydrogen will form a key element of the European Commission's proposals in relation to the gas market which are expected to be published next month.
