Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
118. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the current position in relation to the national grid infrastructure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54624/23]
View answerResponsibility 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 (ERA) and subsequent legislation.
The CRU is responsible, inter alia, for oversight of the costs associated with the operation and development of the national grid by the System Operators. Issues regarding the development of the national electricity grid rest with EirGrid and ESB Network. EirGrid, as Transmission System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Transmission Network and ESB Networks, as Distribution System Operator, have responsibility for the development of the Distribution Network. The Transmission and Distribution Networks make up the national electricity grid. EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of myself as Minister in the exercise of their respective functions.
In July 2023, EirGrid published an update to Shaping our Electricity Future, their roadmap for the transmission grid out to 2030 in order to deliver on the renewable energy targets. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its Networks for Net Zero Strategy, for the distribution grid, which outlines its commitment to future-proofing Ireland’s electricity network and meeting our climate targets.
The CRU is also responsible for electricity grid connection policy. System Operators issue connection offers to generators and storage projects in accordance with CRU policy. EirGrid and ESB Networks are independent of the Minister in the exercise of their functions as System Operators.
In 2023, batch connection offers will take place in accordance with the published CRU decision known as ECP 2.4. ECP 2.4 saw a window for applications of 2 months opening in October 2023.
The matters raised in this question are operational matters for the CRU, in the first instance, and then EirGrid and ESB Networks.The CRU, EirGrid 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 that raised in the question.
