Written Answers Nos. 54-73
64. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the best way communities can be supported by his Department including through the provision of grant aid for energy efficiencies such as solar panels. [45112/22]
View answerThe Communities Energy Grant (CEG) Scheme is designed to encourage and support home retrofit, as well as energy efficiency upgrades in commercial, public (including schools), community and voluntary sector facilities. All projects include a community benefit and include a cross-sectoral approach. The Scheme provides funding for a range of improvements to existing buildings. These include the installation of insulation, heat pump systems, replacement windows/doors, solar Photo-Voltaic technology, energy-efficient lighting, and energy monitors, as well as other energy upgrades.
Demand for the CEG Scheme has been very strong since the launch of this year’s Call for Projects in March. To date, 14 contracts with a grant value of over €35million have been issued by the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) and a further 12 applications are currently under evaluation within the SEAI. All of which points to a strong pipeline of works under the scheme for the remainder of this year and into 2023.
In addition to the CEG Scheme, there are a range of Government supports for the installation of solar PV are available for homeowners and businesses of all sizes.
65. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reduce the waiting times and backlog on the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland better energy warmer homes scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45777/22]
View answerThe Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers free energy upgrades for eligible homeowners in low-income households who are most at risk of energy poverty. It is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Since the start of the scheme in 2000, over 145,000 free upgrades have been supported by the scheme. Delivering free energy upgrades to low-income households and reducing the waiting times on the Warmer Homes Scheme waiting list is a top priority for me. In order to reduce this timeline to completion and target a monthly average of 400 completions this year, the following actions have already been taken: - The budget, at €109 million, is nearly three times the 2021 outturn of €38 million and funding has also been sought through the European Regional Development Fund;
- SEAI has been allocated additional staff for the Warmer Homes Scheme;
- SEAI is working to Increase contractor output through active contract engagement and management. Latest data provided to my Department by the SEAI indicates that, for homes completed in 2022, the longest time waiting for a survey was 10 months, and the average cycle time from application to completion was 27.5 months. However, cycle times have been affected by COVID related issues. In addition, there are deeper measures being provided under the Scheme since 2018, which involve more substantive works. The average cost per upgrade has increased from €2,300 to €18,753 between 2017 to 2022 reflecting the levels of upgrade now being provided.
Progress is being made and the latest data on completions per month show that the average number of completions between June and August this year is just under the 400 homes target.It is important to note that at the end of 2021, there were just over 7,000 homes on the Better Energy Warmer Homes waiting list. While the number has risen to over 9,000 at the end of August, the majority of these applications were received in the current year.
I want to see even higher output and reduced waiting times and I have asked the SEAI to redouble its efforts on this key Scheme and will provide every support I can to that end.
68. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of households and businesses that are generating electricity through microgeneration; if all energy suppliers are now paying microgenerators for the excess electricity that they are exporting to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/22]
View answerThe underlying principle, and primary advantage of microgeneration is self-consumption of your own electricity. This is how microgeneration can help consumers shield against electricity costs. While there is potential for payment for any excess electricity that you might not use yourself, export is an additional benefit but not the primary driver for engaging in microgeneration.
I understand that to the 9th of September 2022 close to 40,000 microgenerators have successfully registered with ESB Networks for an export grid connection. With an average installation size of circa 3 kW, this gives a total of approximately 120 MW of installed microgeneration capacity on the network.
Of this, the SEAI has also supported the installation of domestic Solar PV systems for 11,581 homes since 2018, which has resulted in an installed capacity of domestic Solar PV of 45.1 MW. Furthermore, demand has increased significantly in 2022 and we expect that the SEAI will support over 8,000 homes in 2022 alone at a cost of €21m. The SEAI will be extending the Solar PV grant scheme to non domestic applicants for installations up to 6kW by the end of September.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a decision for the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) tariff which outlines arrangements for implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria and remuneration methodology. As part of this, the CRU decided that suppliers will set their individual CEG tariffs on a competitive market basis which must be reflective of the market, or wholesale, value of the electricity, in line with the requirements of Article 21(2)(d) of the recast Renewable Energy Directive.
Most suppliers have now published their CEG tariffs, which range from €13.5c/kWh up to €20c/kWh which allows customers to shop around and switch suppliers to obtain the best rates for selling and purchasing electricity.
The CRU expects all suppliers to put in place measures to make the first payment to customers at the earliest opportunity and had anticipated that some suppliers may be ready to make the first payment by 31st August 2022, with others indicating that payment measures will be in place by the end of November. This recognises that suppliers require time to develop the necessary systems and processes needed to make payments to customers, following the date that export data was first made available to suppliers by ESB Networks. However, regardless of which supplier you have, micro-generators will not lose out while payment systems are put in place as payments to customers will be backdated to when they either became eligible or to the 15th February 2022.
69. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the way in which future supports for people to deal with energy costs will be administered in view of the fact that some groups such as Travellers were unable to access the previous grants in the same manner as most people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45739/22]
View answerWe are facing unprecedented retail energy prices as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Government has acted through €2.4 billion of measures and will do so again in the Budget.
Under the innovative and completely new Electricity Costs Emergency Benefit Scheme, legislation was put in place, followed by an extensive work programme between my Department; CRU; ESB Networks and suppliers in a matter of months. This allowed Government to make a payment of €176.22 to domestic electricity accounts between April and May of this year at a total cost of just under €377 million.
ESBN by virtue of its existing interface with all electricity suppliers, by way of Meter Point Registration Numbers (MPRN), calculated the number of domestic electricity accounts on the relevant date set out in Regulations.
While the scheme did reach over 2 million domestic electricity accounts, the need to have a MPRN resulted in certain cohorts not being able to access the payment. I am aware that some Traveller families in certain Local Authority accommodations where the MPRN is registered to the Local Authority did not receive the payment. Officials from my Department are in contact with their colleagues in the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on the matter raised by the Deputy.
70. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to recoup the excess profits being made by renewable electricity generators contracted under the renewable energy feed-in tariff schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45788/22]
View answerIncreased wholesale gas prices on the international markets are leading to windfall gains for some energy companies in Ireland and this includes some renewable electricity companies contracted under the Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff (REFIT) schemes. This situation is replicated across Europe.
The best, long-term approach for Ireland to lower energy prices is to reduce our dependency on imported fossil fuels, through investment in indigenous renewable energy sources. The REFIT schemes were designed to encourage renewable electricity generators in Ireland by providing certainty with a minimum price for each unit of electricity exported to the grid over a 15-year period. Unlike the recent Renewable Electricity Support Scheme contracts, the REFIT contracts do not have a requirement for the repayment to the Public Service Obligation when the wholesale electricity price is higher than the REFIT reference price.
I attended the Council of Energy Ministers earlier this month where the issue of energy companies making excess profits was discussed in some detail. Energy Ministers invited the European Commission to propose measures aimed at capping the revenues of inframarginal electricity producers with low costs of production. This includes renewable electricity generators with REFIT contracts.
Last Wednesday the Commission published a proposal for a Council Regulation on an emergency intervention to address high energy prices. This proposal will assist Government in determining whether and, if so, how a windfall tax and other interventions could be introduced having regard to the overall approach to be adopted at EU level. Officials from my Department continue to work with colleagues across Government on these issues.
71. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department has developed a vision for the way in which broadband connectivity can transform lives, particularly in Ireland’s regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45645/22]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan is a key enabler for the for delivering strategies across a number of key sectors including climate, agriculture, education, transport, tourism, sustainable growth, jobs and health. The Government believes in the transformational benefits of broadband and earlier this year the Government's National Digital Strategy - "Harnessing Digital - The Digital Ireland Framework", was launched to drive and enable digital transition across the Irish economy and society. This high-level framework sets out a pathway to support Ireland’s ambition to be a digital leader at the heart of European and global digital developments; and places a strong emphasis on inclusiveness, security and safety, underpinned by strong governance and a well-resourced regulatory framework.
A combination of commercial investment and the State led intervention will ensure access to high speed broadband in every part of the country and no premises will be left behind, no matter how remote. Of the 2.4 million premises across Ireland, 77% of premises now have access to high-speed broadband of more than 30 Mbps. National Broadband Ireland is addressing the premises in the intervention area through the National Broadband Plan State intervention.
A number of commercial operators have announced further investment plans in fixed high-speed broadband infrastructure. Eir intends to roll out fibre to a further 1.6 million premises, bringing its fibre deployment to 1.9 million premises: SIRO is currently completing the first phase of its fibre deployment and to date has passed more than 450,000 premises with gigabit services. It recently announced plans to extend its network by an additional 320,000 premises. Virgin Media intend to provide gigabit broadband upgrades for 1 million premises over the next 3 years. Many other network operators and telecom service providers across the State also continue to invest in their networks. These investments, together with the ongoing significant investments in mobile networks, including 5G, will ensure that Ireland has the necessary connectivity to support its wider digital ambitions.
72. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he can clarify the policy in relation to building a liquefied natural gas terminal in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45744/22]
View answerThe Policy Statement on importing fracked gas was approved by Government and published in May 2021. The policy statement provides that, pending the outcome of the review of the energy security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems, it would not be appropriate for the development of any LNG terminals in Ireland to be permitted or proceeded with. As set out in the National Energy Security Framework, which was published in April 2022, a review of the energy security of Ireland’s gas and electricity systems is being carried out by my Department, following which the results will be submitted to Government. This review is focussed on the period to 2030 and will examine the risks to security of supply and a range of potential mitigating options. The review process includes a technical analysis which will help inform a public consultation. The technical analysis includes identification and examination of the key risks to the security of supply in the electricity and natural gas systems; identification of options that could address or mitigate these risks in the period to 2030; and appraisal of these options in the context of ensuring a sustainable pathway to 2050. The underlying technical analysis has been updated to take into account the war in Ukraine.
My Department is carrying our a public consultation as part of the review and I would encourage all interested parties to submit their views in this consultation.
73. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans regarding supports for SMEs that are seeking to significantly reduce energy consumption; if any capital grant funding proposals for permanent alterations to premises are under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44622/22]
View answerCommitments under the Climate Action Plan and the National Energy Security Framework (NESF) specifically target the need to develop an approach to the retrofit of the commercial building stock and work is already underway in developing a commercial retrofit support scheme for high impact measures, specifically aimed at SMEs. In that context, at a European level, proposed revisions to the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), Renewable Energy Directive (RED) and the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) are under negotiation and will be relevant in the development of the final scheme. A fundamental objective of the scheme under development will be to establish practical engagement and to eliminate the potential fallow periods that appear between the education (SEAI Energy Academy), analysis and auditing delivered through the SEAI, and the actual investment in retrofit works. The key aim of the scheme will be to work in combination with the existing SEAI Business Supports programmes to provide: A clear and tailored pathway for SMEs to support retrofit activity;
Further technical support to facilitate a bespoke retrofit plan for their buildings;
Targeted capital support for existing buildings to reduce energy demand; and
Targeted capital support for retrofit measures. It is intended that the scheme will commence in 2023.
