Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the emergency plans that he has in place to ensure a continuation without a break of electricity supplies this winter; if he will be proposing emergency legislation to ensure same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43481/22]
View answerThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid and my Department.
The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures to address the forecasted shortfall. These actions include; procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website. As part of this programme, the Government has enacted legislation in July of this year and approved capital funding to support EirGrid’s role in expediting the delivery of temporary generation capacity.
Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
