I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 223, inclusive, together.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) 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, which is required to report to the CRU regarding security of electricity supply matters. EirGrid is also responsible for daily management of the electricity system.
The provision of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) under the CRU Security of Supply programme is carried out by EirGrid under direction from CRU further to Ministerial consent; thus EirGrid are responsible for managing the delivery of the TEG.
EirGrid provides updates to the Electricity Security of Supply programme on a regular basis with the Steering Group generally meeting on a monthly basis, and with working level meetings occurring more frequently. The TEG projects continue to be delivered and EirGrid report that they are expected to begin providing service across Winter '23/'24 on a phased basis.
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities has advised that significant elements of the Temporary Emergency Generation projects remain under commercial negotiation at this time and therefore total cost certainty is not available.
Concerning Exchequer funding, following on from the EirGrid Act 2022, the Exchequer provided two supplementary estimates to enable delivery of these projects – €200m in July and €150m in October 2022. The Department authorised €151m of the amount allocated for release to EirGrid in line with contractual progress by end year 2022 and the balance was returned to the Exchequer. The Exchequer allocation does not equate to the total project costs. Further Exchequer funding is neither budgeted for nor at this time deemed to be required in 2023 to enable completion for these projects.
