Energy Production

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022

Wednesday, 19 January 2022

Questions (118)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

118. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the risk analysis that has been taken regarding the proposed new gas power plants and the liabilities of the State under the energy charter treaty investor provisions given a judgement (details supplied); his views on the fact that the European Union energy investors can set up an office in another country to avoid the European Court of Justice ruling; and the way an energy investment with mixed European Union and non-European Union investors could take legal action under the Energy Charter Treaty on grounds of discrimination. [63273/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

The Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out the need for new gas-fired generation in order to support the growth of renewable electricity and ensure security of supply. This generation will, in the main, be incentivised via the capacity market. The capacity market is an integral part of the all-island Single Electricity Market which is overseen by the Single Electricity Market Committee. The Single Electricity Market Committee consists of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities, their Northern Ireland counterparts and an independent member.

The risks associated with any capacity contracts entered into is a matter for the regulatory authorities. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities is independent of me as Minister and my Department. It is solely accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.

In relation to the Energy Charter Treaty, Ireland's position remains to support the European Commission's efforts to negotiate meaningful reform of the Treaty in the first instance, while reserving the option to support a co-ordinated withdrawal should these efforts fail and if considered appropriate by Government to achieve our national renewable energy and climate ambitions.