Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 January 2022
172. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the hydrogen strategy will be published; if persons will be able to make observations on this strategy; if persons have already been invited to make observations on the strategy; the way persons will get an opportunity to make observations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2979/22]
View answer185. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason Ireland has no national hydrogen strategy; when work will be completed on ensuring its publication and implementation given that the Climate Action Plan 2019 requires such a policy to be in place to integrate green hydrogen into the gas grid or the electricity network by the start of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3513/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 185 together.
Scenarios for net zero emissions by 2050 include a potentially significant role for the use of zero-emissions gases, including green hydrogen, and, in planning for the longer-term, we will ensure that they can meet their potential.
The Climate Action Plan 2021, published in November, identifies green hydrogen as having the potential to support decarbonisation across several sectors and, in particular, in high-temperature heat for industry and in electricity generation. The Climate Action Plan 2021 already includes actions relating to green hydrogen in the electricity, enterprise and transport sectors. It also sets out how green hydrogen could address some of the challenges faced by the energy sector, such as providing a back-up for intermittent renewables. A key target set out in the Climate Action Plan is to carry out a work programme to identify a route to deliver one to three terra-watt hours of zero emissions gas (including green hydrogen) by 2030.
The Climate Action Plan is a living document and will be updated on an annual basis to reflect ongoing developments and targets achieved. My Department continues to work with relevant Departments, agencies and stakeholders to carry out research and develop policies to support the uptake of green hydrogen. I expect a strategy focussing on the development of green hydrogen to be included in Climate Action Plan 2022. A large public consultation process was undertaken as part of the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and, going forward, there will be on-going dialogue with citizens and stakeholders, including public consultation.
