Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
119. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans to upgrade the national grid infrastructure to accommodate greater levels of renewable generation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54626/23]
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 and subsequent legislation.
The CRU is responsible 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. Separately, EirGrid annually publish a 10-year Transmission Development Plan, which presents EirGrid’s view of the future electricity transmission network needs. All of this is done under the supervision of the independent regulator, CRU. The network development plan provides CRU with accurate data that allows them to deliver their monitoring obligations for electricity. Furthermore, every year CRU holds a public consultation on EirGrid's Transmission Development Plan. CRU's public consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to express their views on the Transmission Development Plan. In January 2023, ESB Networks launched its Networks for Net Zero Strategy, which outlines its commitment to future-proofing Ireland’s electricity network and meeting our climate targets.
The CRU, EirGrid and ESB Networks have respective contact email address for Deputies, of which they are aware, should they wish to raise matters of concern or seek updates on developments to the national electricity grid such as that raised in the question.
