Written Answers Nos. 197-221
197. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of homes that were connected to the fossil gas grid fin each of the years 2019-2023, in tabular form. [13370/23]
View answer198. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of non-daily metered businesses that were connected to the fossil gas grid for each of the years 2019-2023, in tabular form. [13371/23]
View answer199. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of daily metered businesses that were connected to the fossil gas grid for each of the years 2019-2023, in tabular form. [13372/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 198 and 199 together.
The introduction of the Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) standard has seen a 70% reduction in the emissions of new buildings. Oil and liquid petroleum gas are no longer used as the primary heating source in new dwellings, with heat pumps now used in 84% of new dwellings, a percentage which will continue to increase as a result of the 2019 NZEB regulations, so that all fossil fuels will be effectively phased out in new dwellings by the end of 2023 and will be completely replaced by renewable energy heat pumps as the main heating system.
It is planned to implement a similar phase-out of fossil fuel boilers through performance-based regulations for new non-residential buildings and existing buildings undergoing major renovation (where more than 25% of the external surface of the building is renovated).
NZEB Regulations introduced in 2018 for new buildings other than dwellings have helped to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuel boilers in these buildings by introducing renewable energy requirements for all new non-residential buildings and reducing their energy requirements and carbon emissions by 60%. It is intended that Building Regulations will be further updated to adopt the 2023 cost optimal calculations no later than Q1 2025, three years in advance of the statutory requirement of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
Gas Networks Ireland have provided the following new connection data for 2019 to 2023 (up to end of February).
|
New Connections |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (end Feb) |
|
Homes* |
10,676 |
7,628 |
5,824 |
4,224 |
559 |
|
Communal Heating Scheme Apartments** |
14 |
7 |
6 |
13 |
0 |
|
NDM businesses |
602 |
451 |
385 |
374 |
37 |
|
DM businesses |
6 |
7 |
4 |
6 |
0 |
* Homes include both new houses and existing houses connecting to the gas network.
**A separate line-item figure for Communal Heating Scheme Apartments has been provided as these are typically recorded as NDM business meter fits.
200. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of community heating schemes that were connected to the fossil gas grid for each of the years 2019-2023, in tabular form; and the number of apartments associated with those schemes. [13373/23]
View answerDistrict heating schemes are large-scale systems that are supplied by one or several centralised or decentralised heat sources and serve multiple buildings and multiple customers. Group, or communal, heating schemes are smaller-scale systems that supply single buildings or complexes. End users in group or communal heating schemes are supplied with heat rather than fuel and the heat supplier in these schemes purchases the fuel at commercial rates, primarily natural gas.
My Department is currently liaising with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to ensure the development of an appropriate regulatory framework for district heating. During this process, the CRU will assess the specific regulatory needs of group heating schemes to ensure their inclusion in a regulatory framework, as a priority.
As specific data on the sector has not been collected, the information sought is not available.
201. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres currently operating. [13374/23]
View answer202. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number and location of islanded data centres proposed but not yet operating. [13375/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) has responsibility for operating and maintaining Ireland's national gas network. I have been advised by GNI that there is currently one data centre connected to the gas network which is consuming gas in island mode in advance of completion of its electrical grid power connection.
GNI further inform me that as of February 2023, 11 data centre sites are contracted to connect to the gas network and are currently anticipated to be enduring connections. Eight of these may utilise gas in island mode.
The actual gas usage will depend on multiple factors including: availability of electrical grid capacity and how often on-site generation may be required by the Transmission System Operator to complement electrical grid power in times of electrical grid constraints, the phasing of construction/operation of the data centre development(s), the utilisation rates of operational data centre space within each development, and when firm electrical grid power may become available to these developments.
The location of these data centres cannot be released due to commercial sensitivity and confidentiality.
I would also like to inform the Deputy that the delivery of a Demand Side Strategy is included in the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), which is to be lead by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This will include a review of the gas and electricity connection policies for new large energy users (LEUs).
205. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the Governments proposed changes to off-shore wind policy announced recently and the motivation to move a plan-led approach. [13482/23]
View answer206. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will report on the timeframe for the development of Designated Marine Areas as announced in the proposed changes to off-shore wind farming recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/23]
View answer207. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the anticipated impact of a plan-led approach to off-shore wind-farming on timelines outlined in the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13484/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 205, 206 and 207 together.
The Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind approved by Government aims to accelerate the delivery of 5 GW of offshore wind by 2030, as well as the wider Climate Action Plan objective of achieving 80% renewable electricity.
Under Phase Two, offshore renewables capacity will continue to be procured through the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), with the size and regularity of auctions required to meet the 5 GW target to be determined by onshore grid and marine spatial constraints, and the outcome of Phase One. Phase Two auction participants will compete for supports to develop offshore wind capacity within Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Designated Areas, which will be designated according to legislative provisions for Designated Maritime Area Plans (DMAPs) in the Maritime Area Planning Act 2021.
The location of Phase Two ORE Designated Areas will be geographically aligned with available onshore grid capacity, in addition to being informed by environmental considerations. By aligning with and maximising scarce available onshore grid capacity, the designation of ORE Designated Areas will expedite future delivery of offshore wind, while ensuring that development is managed in a planned, strategic and sustainable way. This approach will further provide additional certainty for investment in Ireland’s offshore renewables sector due to enhanced project delivery prospects.
The initial ORE Designated Areas will be geographically aligned with the identification by EirGrid of existing onshore grid capacity to connect up to 700 MW of offshore wind on the South coast. Contingent on environmental considerations and Oireachtas approval, the initial Phase Two ORE Designated Areas will be adopted by the end of 2023. This will facilitate the commencement of the first Phase Two auction process – ORESS 2 - by the end of this year.
208. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there are plans to create a public amenity at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13495/23]
View answerThe Rahanine bog is part of Drumman Bog located in the Derrygreenagh group of bogs in Westmeath and Offaly. Currently the bog is not included in the Enhanced Decommissioning Rehabilitation and Restoration Scheme (EDRRS).
Bord na Móna has indicated that is it considering developing some of the lands for renewable energy projects. Such renewable energy projects will play an important role in the decarbonisation of our economy and other sectors through electrification of transport, heating, and industry.
The Bord na Móna renewable energy team have been engaging with the local community group in the context of renewable projects on the site and amenity development. Amenity facilities, including elements proposed in the community initiative, can be an integral part of any renewable project. The value of this can be experienced at the nearby Mount Lucas Wind farm project bog which has 10km of public amenity facilities for cycling, walking, jogging and running, in addition to an outdoor gym along the route.
Bord na Móna Renewable Energy team are completing the detailed plans for the projects, and I am assured that they will continue to engage with the local community.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding grants. [13540/23]
View answer210. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason the better energy home grant for the replacement of heat pumps has been withdrawn; if this grant will be urgently reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13600/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209 and 210 together.
The 2021 Climate Action Plan (CAP21) committed to reducing emissions from the residential sector to between 3.5 - 4.5 Mt CO2eq. by 2030, from 7 Mt in 2018. As part of the achievement of this reduction the CAP set ambitious targets to retrofit the equivalent of 500,000 homes to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2/cost optimal and the installation of 400,000 heat pumps in existing homes to replace older, less efficient heating systems by end-2030. This represents approximately 30% of the housing stock and is among the most ambitious retrofit programmes worldwide.
Recognising that the achievement of these targets will require a step-change in the pace and scale of delivery of Ireland’s residential retrofit programme, the Government in February 2022 approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills.
Earlier this month, SEAI advised the Department of an operational rule change to take effect for eligibility for grant support for the installation of a heat pump, whereby the grant will only be paid on homes where solid fuel, oil/gas boiler or electrical heating (other than heat pump) was present, or where there was no heating in situ. The grant will not be paid to replace a heat pump that was previously in the home.
It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.
Over the coming months, the Department and SEAI will examine the broader issues around potential future grant support for heat pumps.
211. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reason his Department has not issued a money message or a reasoned response in relation to the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Amendment) (Climate Emergency Measures) Bill 2018 despite being requested to do so by the Bills Office in May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13602/23]
View answerThe Bill referred to in the Question has been examined in detail by my Department and legal advice has been obtained from the Office of the Attorney General.
On foot of that examination and the legal advice obtained, I intend to bring the matter to Government for formal decision shortly. Following on from that, a response will be sent to the Deputy as soon as possible ahead of it being laid before the Oireachtas, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and Dáil Éireann on Private Members Bills.
212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date he will approve the development of domestic Irish and gas exploration; if he plans to issue a statement regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13603/23]
View answerThe 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.
As outlined in the Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production published in August 2022, this commitment states that no new authorisations for petroleum exploration will be granted, while applications that are already connected to existing authorisations can continue to apply to progress through the standard licensing lifecycle stages towards a natural conclusion, which may include expiry, relinquishment, production or rejection.
All applications relating to existing authorisations will continue to be assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with Section 9A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, as amended, and Section 3 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. This includes assessment of the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation.
213. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide the specifics regarding the amount and origin of the energy sourced from the UK in 2022 for Irish electricity supplies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13604/23]
View answer214. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the reasoning behind the ongoing importation of energy for Irish electricity production from the UK rather than domestic oil and gas drilling, particularly in view of the UK power system operator's recent decision to reopen two of five emergency coal-fired generators; the timeline for approving the development of domestic Irish oil and gas exploration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13605/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
Ireland is a net exporter of electricity to Great Britain via the East West Interconnector (EWIC). In 2022 Ireland imported 382 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity but exported 992 GWh of electricity to Great Britain with a resulting net export of 610 GWh of electricity via the EWIC over the year. The origin of this electricity changes on a minute-by-minute basis as the different fuel sources vary to respond to demand and the available supply including wind and solar availability.
Similarly, the island of Ireland operates an all-island Integrated Single Electricity Market (ISEM) which over the course of 2022 was also a net exporter of electricity to Great Britain with a combined 888 GWh of electricity net exports via EWIC and the Moyle Interconnector in Northern Ireland.
The Programme for Government was ratified by the members of the three parties involved in the formation of the current government in June 2020. This programme contained the 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.
As outlined in the Policy Statement on Petroleum Exploration and Production published in August 2022, this commitment states that no new authorisations for petroleum exploration will be granted, while applications that are already connected to existing authorisations can continue to apply to progress through the standard licensing lifecycle stages towards a natural conclusion, which may include expiry, relinquishment, production or rejection.
All applications relating to existing authorisations will continue to be assessed against a number of criteria in accordance with Section 9A of the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development Act, 1960, as amended, and Section 3 of the Licensing Terms for Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration, Development and Production. This includes assessment of the technical competence of the applicant and the financial resources available to it in order to undertake the work programme and any other commitments pursuant to the relevant petroleum authorisation.
215. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the actions that have been taken, in view of warnings from EirGrid in its Generation Capacity Statement in relation to forthcoming serious electricity supply shortfalls, to ensure the country produces sufficient electricity to meet demand, particularly for winter 2023-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13624/23]
View answer220. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what actions have been taken, in light of warnings from EirGrid in its Generation Capacity Statement about forthcoming serious electricity supply shortfalls, to ensure the country produces sufficient electricity to meet demand, particularly for winter 2023-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13952/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 220 together.
The 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, the electricity transmission system operator, and my Department. The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming years.
The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures. 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. In February 2023, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website.
Margins are expected to remain tight in Winters 2022/23 and 2023/24. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this and next winter and lower peak demand during these periods.
The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them to raise questions to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
216. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the details of a new build premises (details supplied) are expected to be formally transmitted by his Department to National Broadband Ireland (NBI) for inclusion under the National Broadband Plan rollout; when he expects the premises to be connected to the NBI network thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13815/23]
View answerThe High-Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour-coded and searchable by address and Eircode. Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high-speed broadband through the State led Intervention. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
Commercial operators have recently indicated their plans to supply Gigabit services to all premises in the BLUE area of the NBP Map as part of their commercial network rollouts. However, due to the specifics of this premises, in terms of its location and high-speed broadband provision in the surrounding areas it has been decided that this premises will be reclassified and served by NBI under the National Broadband Plan.
The premises referred to in the question is indicated as being in the BLUE area however, a detailed analysis undertaken by the Department’s technical team has confirmed that this premises is not currently capable of obtaining high-speed broadband through commercial means. As a result this premises needs to be reclassified and this process requires a formal change followed by an update to broadband maps. Fibre broadband should be available to order within 6 months of the premises appearing on the NBI broadband map.
217. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide assistance with obtaining an Eircode at an enclosed location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13836/23]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Tailte Éireann (formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland) provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Tailte Éireann, issue a new release of database files monthly to Capita in accordance with their revised licence agreement.
Capita have advised my officials that they have been in direct contact with the individual in question and will continue to monitor the case, reverting to the property owner with updates as soon as further information is available.
My officials are liaising with An Post and Tailte Éireann in relation to a verified geo-location and postal address for this property. The updated information will be included in the next update of the database files being supplied to Capita from APG.
In recognition of the fact that earlier assignment of Eircodes for new builds is desirable, Capita have now reduced the timeframe to assign Eircodes from quarterly to a monthly basis. The next update release of new Eircodes is due at the end of March and will be published on the free to use Eircode Finder website and an updated Eircode Database files will be provided to licenced businesses for their use.
218. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of people who were connected to the microgeneration pilot scheme from 2009 to 2014; the number of these who are still exporting excess electricity back to the grid; and the number who are not exporting but are being paid for deemed export (details supplied). [13852/23]
View answerI understand that up to the end of 2022, approximately 46,127 microgenerators have successfully registered with ESB Networks for an export grid connection, using the Microgeneration Installation notification form (NC6). The breakdown for microgeneration connections between 2009 and 2014 is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Connections |
|
2009 |
454 |
|
2010 |
255 |
|
2011 |
197 |
|
2012 |
118 |
|
2013 |
146 |
|
2014 |
287 |
In relation to export payments received under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG) scheme, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) published a CEG decision paper on 1 December 2021 (www.cru.ie), which outlines arrangements for the implementation of the tariff, including eligibility criteria, remuneration methodology and scenarios where the deemed export formula would apply.
While I understand that the CRU propose to undertake a review of the Interim CEG arrangements after one year or operation, full details for the operation of the current scheme or any proposed changes to the scheme, are a matter for CRU which is an independent regulator accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas.
CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
219. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount that has been given to domestic wind turbine developers by the Government and the SEAI, where these manufacturers have since been liquidated; and the measures that will be taken to ensure there is no repeat of this in solar developments (details supplied). [13855/23]
View answerAs Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have no function in relation to the provision of business enterprise supports to wind turbine developers or manufacturing companies. There are a number of capital supports funded by my Department and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which are designed to support businesses to invest in the micro-generation of renewable electricity. These include the Micro-Generation Support Scheme (MSS), which offers capital grants to businesses, up to a maximum of €2,400 for solar PV installations up to 6.0kW; under the non-domestic solar PV scheme. Additionally, Solar PV is one of a range of measures supported under the Community Energy Grant scheme, which makes grant funding available to community partnerships to improve the energy efficiency of the building stock in their area and is open to domestic and non-domestic applications. The Climate Action Plan also commits to the development of a new support scheme for small-scale generation (above 50kW). The consultation phase for this scheme has closed and it is currently in the final design stage, with an expectation that it will be launched later in 2023.
221. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide clarification in relation to the scheme aimed at encouraging taxi drivers to convert to EV vehicles; if the unintended consequence (details supplied) of extending licences for some vehicles as a Covid-related measure, is that vehicles and drivers that would have qualified for the EV grant may now lose out as a result of both of the Covid extension together with ongoing delays in getting EVs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12235/23]
View answer259. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Transport if he will investigate and address the case of person (details supplied) who was offered a grant for an electric vehicle in order that they could upgrade their taxi to an electric vehicle and due to the circumstances are being denied a grant. [12836/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 259 together.
The Electric Small Public Service Vehicle (eSPSV) Grant Scheme is in place to support the greening of the SPSV, or taxi, sector. It is aimed at improving air quality in urban areas, reducing the CO2 emissions of a sector which typically has very high mileage, and also can positively influence the uptake of zero emission passenger cars by improving general perception and awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles.
The SPSV industry is regarded as a champion in the normalisation of electric vehicle use. The Scheme is funded by the Department of Transport and administered by NTA acting as agents of the Department with delegated authority and as the licensing authority for SPSVs. Since its launch in February 2018, the eSPSV Grant Scheme has supported over 1,400 SPSV drivers in purchasing electric vehicles. €15m has been allocated to the Scheme in 2023 to enable owners of small public service vehicles, such as taxis, hackneys and limousines, to buy electric vehicles. I am pleased to advise that the scheme is now open for applications.
My department and the NTA are aware of the licence issue and in that regard, the eSPSV information guide has been updated and published here. References to the Maximum Permissible Age have now been updated to reference the original definition in S.I. No. 33/2015 - Taxi Regulation (Small Public Service Vehicle) Regulations 2015).
