Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
150. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to provide information on the provision of policy advice for projects related to the development of green hydrogen projects; how the Government is supporting and encouraging the advancement of green hydrogen initiatives; the specific policy measures that are being considered to foster the growth of this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29506/23]
View answerHydrogen provides us with an incredible opportunity in Ireland. It provides the potential for long term storage of energy, the opportunity of dispatchable wind and solar power, the potential of chemical feedstocks, the potential of an export market and the opportunity to decarbonise some parts of high temperature processing. Ireland has one of the best offshore renewable energy resources in the world and realising the full potential of this massive resource will be a major opportunity for Ireland, and for renewable hydrogen production. In response to the climate crisis and the current energy crisis, we must look to accelerate the delivery of renewable electricity, and the delivery of alternative fuels like hydrogen.
As set out in the 2023 Policy Statement on the Framework for Phase Two Offshore Wind, the Government has set an initial target of 2 GW of floating offshore wind to be in development by 2030, which may include the development of projects devoted to production of green hydrogen, to create the necessary environment to develop an indigenous hydrogen industry, and projects devoted to other non-grid uses. It is therefore currently anticipated that this 2 GW may not be connected in the traditional manner with Government welcoming and encouraging innovation from developers in this regard.
In 2022, my Department also launched a public consultation to gather views on the broad landscape of potential hydrogen supply, infrastructure, storage, and demand in Ireland, as well as the potential export opportunities for hydrogen. 126 responses were received to this consultation which reflects the momentum building behind renewable hydrogen in Ireland. A National Hydrogen Strategy is now being finalised and publication is expected shortly. The strategy will set out both the long term role envisioned for renewable hydrogen in Ireland, as well as a list of short term actions to be progressed over the coming years to enable development of the sector.
