Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2018
76. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his projections for the carbon emissions from the power stations in Edenderry, west Offaly, and Lough Ree; when they will be burning 100% biomass; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37567/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Environmental Protection Agency produces greenhouse gas emissions projections on an annual basis for all key sectors of the economy in collaboration with relevant State and other bodies. The latest projections from the EPA (published in May 2018) provide an updated assessment of Ireland’s total projected greenhouse gas emissions out to 2030.
The EPA produced two scenarios when preparing the greenhouse gas emission projections, a With Existing Measures (WEM) scenario and a With Additional Measures (WAM) scenario. The WEM scenario assumes that no additional policies and measures, beyond those already in place by the end of 2016 (the year of the latest national greenhouse gas emission inventory), are implemented. The WAM scenario assumes implementation of the WEM scenario as well as further implementation of Government renewable and energy efficiency policies and measures, including those set out in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP).
As per the latest EPA projections for the energy industries sector, projected emissions in the WAM scenario show an increase over the WEM scenario from 2020 to 2025. The Public Service Obligation (PSO) levy that supports peat being used for power generation ceases in December 2019 under the WEM scenario, and consequently peat used for power generation significantly reduces. Thereafter, the fuel type used for electricity generation is influenced by fuel price and in this case gas largely replaces peat in the power generation fuel mix leading to lower emissions. Emissions are higher in the WAM scenario based on the assumption that Ireland’s peat power plants continue to operate with support for biomass provided for under the REFIT 3 scheme. This scheme includes the co-firing of peat and biomass for power generation which means more peat is used after 2019 to co-fire with biomass. The assumption of biomass co-firing with peat post 2020 is not included in the WEM scenario as the REFIT 3 decision for co-firing at the relevant peat power plants was made in April 2017 (after the 31 December 2016 cut-off point for policies and measures to be included in the WEM scenario).
The use of peat for power generation will be progressively eliminated by 2030 by converting peat power stations to more sustainable low-carbon technologies. The Lough Ree and West Offaly plants will no longer receive support for their peat production under the PSO from the end of 2019. Both plants have been approved under the REFIT 3 scheme for PSO support for co-firing 30% of total capacity out to 2030, and it is expected that these plants will begin co firing on biomass in 2019. These two plants require the relevant planning permission to operate beyond 2019. The Edenderry plant has been approved for 30% co-firing support out to 2030, subject to renewal of planning permission. Further increases in the percentage of biomass in the fuel mix of the peat stations is a commercial matter for Bord na Mona or ESB.
The emissions from the three peat fired power plants are accounted for under the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). It is a matter for the companies involved to manage their emissions and ensure that they are in compliance with the ETS.
