Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
1147. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the roles he envisages in national climate policy for a number of provisions (details supplied); and his plans to redirect the resources currently being used to support peat-fired electricity to achieve a just transition for sustainable employment in the midlands. [14173/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2014 National Policy Position on Climate Action and Low Carbon Development, which is underpinned by the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, provides the high-level policy direction for the State to move to a low-carbon economy by 2050. The development of sectoral mitigation measures for the electricity generation, the built environment, transport and agriculture sectors to be set out in a National Mitigation Plan (NMP) is well advanced. The primary objective of the first NMP will be to monitor measures already underway and identify potential additional measures that, in the medium to longer term, will reduce GHG emissions. This will assist Ireland to achieve our national transition objective to become a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by the end of 2050. Following a public consultation launched last week, the NMP will be submitted to Government for approval in June.
The overarching objective of the Energy White Paper, published in December 2015, is to transition to a low carbon energy system which provides secure supplies of competitive and affordable energy to citizens and businesses. This will involve moving away from higher emissions fuel types to lower emissions fuels such as gas, or zero carbon renewable energy technologies. PSO support for Bord na Móna’s Edenderry peat-fired station expired in December 2015. The Edenderry power station is now in receipt of support for biomass co-firing via REFIT3 for up to 30% the size of the plant. In addition, Bord na Móna has stated that it intends to cease harvesting peat for electricity generation by 2030. The company has committed to replace large-scale peat production with alternative indigenous energy sources such as biomass. In keeping with the Energy White Paper, this will contribute to the decarbonisation of electricity while also maintaining sustainable levels of quality employment in the Midlands.
Under the Better Energy Communities (BEC) scheme which is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, renewable energy heating systems are supported. Heat pumps and biomass boilers are being grant funded this year at up to 50% (or up to 95% for fuel poor households) when carried out with a combined fabric upgrade.
