Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
90. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to outline the way that the various State agencies under the aegis of his Department are facilitating the rollout of generation of renewal energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50372/23]
View answerThe Government has set ambitious targets to increase the share of renewable energy and my Department works with a number of our agencies to achieve our renewable energy targets. I have also included a reference to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), an independent Regulator, accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas and not the Minister.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) actively monitors and supports Ireland's progress towards its renewable energy targets through a variety of grants, schemes and initiatives, including grants for building energy retrofits/upgrades, heat pumps and electric vehicles.
As part of a broader retrofit programme, the SEAI Communities Energy Grant Scheme (CEG) offers renewable energy solutions such as: wind turbines; biomass plants; and photovoltaic systems (PV and thermal).
One of the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities strategic priorities is to drive a low carbon future by enabling high levels of renewable integration through market design and development. It also ensures that markets enable participation in the transition by all customers.
EirGrid Group is developing many of the necessary infrastructural and operational requirements to facilitate the shift to renewable energy. Eirgrids "Delivering a Secure Sustainable Electricity System (DS3)” programme aims to meet the challenges of operating the electricity system in a secure manner while achieving the 2020 and 2030 renewable electricity targets.
An Post was the first Irish logistics company to join EV 100, a global initiative made up of leading international businesses dedicated to accelerating the move to electric vehicles worldwide. They currently have 1,020 electric vehicles (EVs), 172 e-trikes and three 7.5 tonne electric trucks in their fleet.
The Electricity Supply Board is investing in the development of new renewable generation with a focus on onshore and offshore wind, solar projects, and a growing portfolio of battery storage initiatives.
In terms of Bord na Móna, many of Ireland’s wind turbines are installed on cutaway bogs, which were once harvested for peat but have now been repurposed for renewable energy. Bord na Móna is also actively engaged in biomass and biogas renewable energy projects.
