Written Answers Nos. 1-55
53. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount of energy generated by means of solar power; the necessary actions that must be taken to significantly increase solar power production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37451/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 report of Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) "Energy in Ireland" indicates that Solar Photovoltaic (Solar PV) generation accounted for 0.01% of energy contribution to gross electricity consumption in Ireland at the end of 2016.
I welcome and have noted reports of the falling costs of certain renewable technologies, including Solar PV and Offshore Wind, over the past number of years, not only compared with other renewables but also with conventional forms of generation. Furthermore, analysis by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA 2017) forecasts that Solar PV costs will continue to fall a further 50% globally out to 2020.
Increasing renewable technology diversity is one of several policy objectives of my Department. In July, Government approved the high level design of the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and this Scheme will now proceed through the EU State Aid approval process. It is expected that the first renewable electricity auction will take place under RESS in 2019.
The RESS has been designed to deliver Ireland’s contribution towards an EU-wide renewable energy target of 32% out to 2030, within a competitive auction-based, cost effective framework. The Scheme will provide for a renewable electricity (RES-E) ambition of up to a maximum of 55% by 2030 subject to determining the cost effective level, which will be set out in the draft National Energy and Climate Plan to be submitted to the EU Commission in December. The RESS will deliver a broad range of policy objectives including the provision of pathways and supports for communities to participate in renewable energy projects, broadening the renewable electricity technology mix and increasing energy security, energy sustainability and ensuring the cost effectiveness of energy policy.
The Government recognises the important role that Solar PV can play as part of a mix of renewable generation and the RESS will offer a potential pathway for Solar PV projects at scale, within a cost competitive framework. My Department already supports Solar PV through the SEAI-led Better Energy Communities and pilot Deep Retrofit schemes, and in July I launched a pilot micro generation scheme to support Solar PV targeting domestic users and self-consumption.
In addition to these opportunities, Solar PV is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, under the Pig and Poultry Investment Scheme (PPIS) as part of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS). Complimentary programmes like these delivered across a number of Government Departments are crucial in delivering our climate and energy ambitions as laid out in the National Development Plan and Project Ireland 2040.
54. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the timeframe for broadband services to be available in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the status of fibre installation; the position regarding the national broadband plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37049/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the House is aware, the National Broadband Plan is an initiative to bring high speed broadband to every premises in Ireland through both commercial deployment and State led intervention. As of today, 54% of premises in Cavan, and 48% in Monaghan have access to high speed broadband through commercial operators. Those premises that will not be served commercially will be connected as part of the National Broadband Plan State led intervention, the procurement process for which is now in its final stages.
In the interim, the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, and the Broadband Officers who operate in every County are pursuing initiatives to improve connectivity for citizens.
Public WiFi is available in Cavan Town, and libraries around the County also offer this service. There are also 2 digital hubs in Cavan. Multiple SMART initiatives are also being pursued, including free computer classes and digital skills training, social media classes and classes that will allow local businesses to operate online more effectively.
Today in Monaghan five of the main towns have free public WiFi available, with 40,000 uses recorded in the last 12 months. Free WiFi is also available in libraries throughout the county, while SMART initiatives such as increased presence of security cameras in Monaghan’s towns and the development of online resources for heritage sites and literary trails are being pursued.
All of these initiatives, and more, show the positive effect the National Broadband Plan has already brought to Counties Cavan and Monaghan and they serve only as a forerunner to the high speed broadband service to be delivered to every household, school and business both in Cavan and Monaghan and throughout Ireland under the National Broadband Plan State led intervention.
55. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to use his powers under the Electricity Regulation Act 1999 and issue a policy direction to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities concerning competition in the electricity supply market and its resultant affect on electricity prices for householders. [37625/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government, or I as Minister, have no statutory function in the monitoring or setting of electricity prices.
Responsibility for the regulation of the gas or electricity markets is a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It is an independent statutory body, and solely accountable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. Under the current Oireachtas Committee formations, the CRU is responsible to the Committee on Communications, Climate Action and Environment where these matters are discussed as the Committee sees fit.
Consistent with European energy policy, the electricity and gas markets in Ireland are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. The position of successive Governments has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices. Competition exerts downward pressure on suppliers’ prices.
One of Commission’s statutory functions is to carry out market monitoring to ensure that competition continues to develop and that customers benefit from competition. As part of its market monitoring work, CRU last year concluded that Irish energy markets are competitive.
Recent announcements regarding electricity price increases reflect that since the final quarter of 2016, average international natural gas prices have increased sharply. They have, more or less, continued to rise through 2017 and the first half of 2018, with day ahead prices in June being 56% higher than 12 months earlier. Consistent with the upward international gas price trend, average wholesale electricity prices have increased in like manner. After an initial delay, the effect of this protracted rise in the wholesale electricity price since end 2016 has been observed in the retail market, with all significant Irish electricity suppliers announcing household customer price increases.
Section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, sets out the procedure under which the Minister may give “general policy directions”. The legislation sets out details on the tasks and inter alia restrictions, timelines and consultation requirements with the independent regulator and Oireachtas. Energy markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime in which Member States must guarantee the independence of National Regulatory Authorities, which are expressively forbidden from taking direct instructions from government, or any public body. The regime also restricts policy directions in the form of general policy guidelines in certain areas that are prescribed regulatory duties and powers in the EU Third Energy Package. A policy direction in this matter is therefore not being considered.
