Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
93. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the expected requirement for gas and oil in the State up to 2050, allowing for the full implementation of our climate targets; the percentage of this that is likely to come from indigenous sources; the efforts that have been made to increase this percentage in order to provide security of supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45733/22]
View answer110. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the energy security review will be published; the immediate actions that he will take to improve the State’s energy security and independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45784/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 110 together.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan sets out clear renewable energy targets to 2030 in the context of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Harnessing Ireland’s renewable energy potential and reducing demand for fossil fuels through improving energy efficiency is the best way to reduce our energy import dependency. Actions to achieve this are set out in Climate Action Plan 2021.
There will be a continued need for fossil fuels and in particular natural gas during the transition, including gas-fired generation to back-up and support the rollout of renewable electricity. This has been set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021, the National Development Plan and in the policy statement on security of electricity supply which was approved by the Government and published in November 2021.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the issuing of new licences for the exploration and extraction of gas on the same basis as the decision taken in 2019 by the previous Government in relation to oil exploration and extraction. This commitment was made effective immediately upon the current Government taking office, and was placed on a statutory footing on commencement of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021.
Holders of existing authorisations are not affected by these changes, and may apply to progress their authorisations through the licensing stages towards a natural conclusion – which may include expiry, relinquishment or production. This means that a future commercial discovery in an existing authorisation could potentially reach production. Any applications for follow-on authorisations or applications to conduct petroleum activities in the Irish offshore under an authorisation require Ministerial consent, and are required to meet environmental, technical and financial standards as appropriate. If no further gas and oil is discovered in line with the above process, it could be assumed, given the decline of Corrib, that indigenous gas production will be relatively small post 2030.
This week, my Department launched a public consultation on the medium to long-term security of our electricity and gas systems. This review is considering the risks to both natural gas and electricity supplies and is examining a range of measures (including the need for additional capacity to import energy, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases – such as hydrogen). The public consultation will help inform the review and the outcome of the review will be brought to Government for its consideration.
