Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
144. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will comment on reports that there will be a tight supply situation for electricity for many years to come, and the initiatives which could be considered to ease this risk. [2980/24]
View answerThe All-Island Generation Capacity Statement (GCS) 2023-2032 is an annual report from EirGrid examining the likely balance between electricity demand and supply for the next 10 years. The latest report shows an improved situation on the 2022 GCS report. This is due to lower demand forecasts than was the case previously, though overall demand for electricity is still forecast to grow. It’s also due to actions taken by the Government and State agencies to manage the situation. These actions include limiting the risk of any loss of electricity supply and procuring additional capacity to generate electricity.
The Commission of Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take such measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in its role by EirGrid, and my Department.
The CRU currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. Regular updates on this programme are published on the CRU website. The Security of Supply Programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply side mitigation measures. These actions include; procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; additional use of grid-scale batteries; and improved demand side measures.
The recent delivery of Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) units in North Wall in December 2023, with further TEG units to be delivered in Huntstown in the coming weeks, and in Shannonbridge & Tarbert over the coming year, will mitigate risks to our electricity supply going forward.
