Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
53. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the rationale for the decision to keep Moneypoint open up to 2029; how this aligns with Ireland’s carbon emissions targets and sectoral emissions ceilings; what it means for a just transition in the energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42875/23]
View answerThe Minister and the Department has no decision-making role in relation to the future of ESB power stations.
The Government’s stated policy position (Government Policy Statement on Electricity Security of Supply November 2021) is that the retention of existing power generation is both a necessary and critical component of our energy security at this time as the state works to rapidly develop additional temporary and enduring electricity generating capacity.
It states: "it is appropriate that existing conventional electricity generation capacity, including existing coal, heavy fuel oil and biomass fired generation, should be retained until the new conventional electricity generation capacity is developed in order to ensure security of electricity supply".
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities currently has a programme of actions underway to implement this statement and ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures to address the forecasted capacity gap in the electricity sector. These actions include:
• procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions;
• procuring temporary emergency generation;
• extending the availability of existing generation capacity through the retention of older units;
• additional use of energy storage including grid-scale batteries; and
• improved demand side measures.
The retention of Moneypoint is in line with the November 2021 Government Policy Statement on Security of Electricity Supply.
I am advised that this capacity will only operate if and when needed, at the instruction of EirGrid, as a back up to the system, with renewable energy and efficient gas-fired power stations always being supplied to the market first. From a policy perspective all efforts to reduce the carbon intensity or improve the efficiency of retained units is important, for example, fuel switching where it would reduce carbon intensity, increasing the scope of operational efficiencies and flexibilities; and/or imposing operational constraints to minimise run hours for last-resort units.
I am advised that this is a temporary measure to support security of supply as ESB works to transition this part of Ireland's energy infrastructure into a future renewable energy hub.
Through the CRU Security of Supply Programme, I expect over 570MW of new (temporary and enduring) generation capacity to be available by the end of March 2024. Ensuring modern, low-emitting dispatchable generation is procured for the electricity sector as we transition to an electricity-led energy system in Ireland is essential and will reduce Ireland's short-term and temporary reliance on older generating units to provide security of supply.
Both the ESB and the CRU have dedicated email addresses for Deputies should they wish to seek further information on this matter.
