Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
150. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what measures he is taking to reduce energy demand, in particular the demand coming from large energy users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34950/23]
View answerThere are a range of measures and policies being pursued in order to encourage reductions in energy demand across all sectors of society.
Under the Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), the Government has committed to a new Demand Side Strategy for Electricity and Gas being put in place. The CRU has commenced work in this area by publishing a call for evidence and consultation paper in June 2023. The Demand Side Strategy will be delivered by the end of 2023, with the aim of 20 to 30% of electricity demand to be flexible by 2030, with 15-20% flexibility by 2025. Large Energy Users (LEUs) will be expected to make up a higher proportional contribution to the target, as they are making up a high proportion of the increase in electricity demand. The strategy will be focused on three areas, Smart Services, Demand Flexibility and Response, and New Demand Connections.
The CRU have also published a call for evidence for input into a 'Review of Large Energy Users Connection policy', which will gather the views of all stakeholders for development of the new policy. This will ensure that any new connections are not causing energy security challenges and are in line with our sectoral emission ceilings.
In July of 2022, Government published a new Statement on the role of Data Centres to ensure alignment with Ireland's renewable energy targets, security of supply, sectoral emissions and climate priorities.
The CRU also published a Direction in November 2021 setting out an assessment criteria for System Operators when assessing applications for grid connections from data centres.
EirGrid currently operates a Demand Side Unit (DSU) initiative for medium to large electricity users as part of their Demand Side Management Programme. This initiative utilises large energy users ability to reduce demand during periods of system constraint thereby helping to relieve pressure on the grid and is complemented by the Mandatory Demand Curtailment Process run by EirGrid and ESB-Networks for times of system emergency.
Additionally, there is growing evidence that the public are changing their own energy demand behaviours. The Government's 'Reduce Your Use' campaign has been very successful in promoting and encouraging energy efficiency and highlighting the range of supports that are available to households and businesses. Separately, ESB-Networks 'Beat the Peak' campaign has highlighted how demand flexibility can be delivered by both households and businesses for energy security, decarbonisation, and affordability goals.
In addition, the new (Recast) Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) increases energy saving requirements on all Member States. For the saving target for Ireland to be met Ireland will need to reduce national final energy consumption (from all sources combined) by approximately 20% compared to Ireland’s energy use in 2019. This is likely to require additional energy saving policies and measures applicable to all sectors to be identified and developed.
