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Electricity Grid

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 May 2022

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

Questions (68)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

68. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide an update on Eirgrid’s TSO transmission system operator; and when it will be in a position to recognise battery storage. [23606/22]

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Written answers

EirGrid is the designated Transmission System Operator (TSO) and its role includes the operation, maintenance and development of the electricity transmission network in Ireland. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for EirGrid.

Government does not have any role in the delivery of electricity infrastructure on the ground. This is consistent with the 2012 Government Policy Statement on the Strategic Importance of Transmission and Other Energy Infrastructure which states: ‘The Government does not seek to direct EirGrid and ESB Networks or other energy infrastructure developers to particular sites or routes or technologies’. The question relates to operational matters in which I have no role.

The Climate Action Plan 2021 recognises the important role of energy storage, including battery storage, in facilitating the transition to higher levels of renewable energy on the system. The Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications has committed to developing a storage policy that supports the 2030 CAP targets with a decision to be published early next year. In combination, the CRU will be reviewing the regulatory treatment of storage, including licensing, charging and market incentives, which is to be completed by the end of 2023.

EirGrid has reported that a number of battery projects have been contracted via two mechanisms: SEM Capacity Auctions and DS3 Systems Services. These routes offer different but essential services to the power system on the island of Ireland. For example, the provisional SEM Capacity Auction Results for the T-4 Capacity Auction in respect of Capacity Year 2025/2026, which took place in March 2022, included 227MW of qualified battery storage.

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