Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 June 2023
61. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport for an update on the roll-out of the shared island sports club EV charging scheme; and if such charging facilities under the scheme will be made available in Cavan and Monaghan. [30156/23]
View answerZero Emission Vehicles Ireland launched a new destination charging scheme, the Shared Island Sports Club EV Charging Scheme, at the end of January to support the installation of fast electric vehicle chargers into sports clubs. The scheme aims to install approximately 200 chargers into local communities providing a network of fast chargers across the island. It has been developed on an all-island basis in partnership with Sports Ireland and its recognised National Governing Bodies as well as in collaboration with the ESB Networks and Northern Ireland Electric and the commercial sector.
The Scheme is funded to the value of €15m by the Shared Island Fund and aims to install 50KW chargers into viable sites. Subject to the available connection and the number of car parking spaces available it may also provide a 22KW charger in addition.
The scheme will provide capital funding to cover the purchase and installation of the charger(s) onsite. Each club will enter into an Agreement with a Charge Point Operator, who will be selected following a public tendering process. It is essential that the chargers are placed into sites where they will be used enough to cover at a minimum the cost of the ongoing electrical connection charge which is currently in the region of €7,000 per year.
Expressions of interest were received from over 600 clubs across island in February. Since then, approximately 300 clubs submitted the required documentation in order to be considered further. These sites are now undergoing specific analysis to ensure that they meet the requirements of the scheme and are feasible for the installation of EV charging. It is worthwhile noting that not every site will be feasible.
ZEVI expects to have completed the analysis of the sites by the end of September. A report will then be prepared for the Department and its partners to consider and select the final sites. I look forward to being in a position to announce the successful sites as soon as possible thereafter.
