Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
50. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that gained access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34592/23]
View answer51. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of sustainable energy communities that were on a waiting list to gain access to a grid connection in 2022, Q1 2023 and Q2 2023, per local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34593/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 51 together.
Responsibility for the regulation of the electricity market is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister. The CRU was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity sector following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 and subsequent legislation. The management of new connections to the electricity grid, including Community Led Energy Projects is a matter for ESB Networks, under rules determined by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions. The CRU and ESB Networks have respective contact email addresses for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern such as those raised in the questions. In this instance, my Department has forwarded the queries raised in the questions to the ESB for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
