Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps taken by his Department and agencies under the remit of his Department (ESV, ESB Networks, EirGrid, CRU, SEAI) to use surplus renewable energy to tackle fuel poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17491/24]
View answer120. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he and his Department have taken in the past 12 months to use surplus renewable energy to help reduce energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17506/24]
View answer121. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what steps ESB, SEAI, EirGrid and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities have taken in the past 12 months to use surplus renewable energy to help reduce energy poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17507/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 120 and 121 together.
The underlying issue raised by the Deputies is the "dispatch-down" of renewable energy, which refers to the amount of renewable energy that is available but cannot be used by the electricity system. This can be due to broad power system limitations, known as curtailments, local network limitations, known as constraints, or energy supply exceeding consumer demand. Dispatch-down is unfortunate and EirGrid are addressing the grid limitations that cause it through various measures under its “Shaping Our Electricity Future” roadmap. This is a plan-led approach to deliver an electricity system which meets Climate Action targets and Carbon Budgets while allowing for electricity demand growth.
Ireland’s Climate Action Plans have recognised the need for a range of cross-government/agency measures to enable the transformation of the electricity sector, such that it can become more adaptable and flexible, in response to the ever-increasing volume of distributed renewable energy sources on the grid. This will involve an increase in demand-side response measures and greater interconnection, as well as an ever-greater role for electricity storage systems, to complement our rapidly increasing wind and solar infrastructure. It is also recognised that Ireland’s citizens and communities can play a central role in this transition, by flexibly managing their energy assets; in response to the level of renewable energy on the grid and in doing so, they can also lower their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Consequently, Ireland’s Energy Security Package commits Government to improving the ways that homes and businesses can manage their energy use by providing an evidence-based programme of communications and supporting ‘active consumers’ through smart metering and smart energy services and technologies. These services will enable consumers, including those in energy poverty, to flexibly adjust their demand in response to market signals and the changing level of renewable energy available. A consultation to inform the development of a revised Energy Poverty Action Plan was published on gov.ie on 13th March 2024 and is currently open for submissions. The revised Plan will set out a wide range of clear, timebound actions aimed at tackling energy poverty with appropriate governance and evaluation, and will consider the use of smart technologies to benefit energy poor households. It is intended that the Plan will build on and continue the policies and actions that have been driven to date by the existing Plan, and where appropriate, informed by stakeholder input, will supplement these measures.
