Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
172. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Climate Action and Communication Networks if he plans to make grid connection for renewable energy projects more accessible and affordable; his further plans for renewable projects to share grid connection assets in which technically possible to make connection to the grid more efficient and viable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25484/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to producing a whole-of-government plan setting out how we will deliver at least 70% renewable electricity by 2030 including recommendations for how the deployment of renewable electricity can be speeded up, for example the provision and permissioning of grid connections. The Climate Action plan includes a number for actions in relation grid reform including ensuring that the next phase of renewable connection policy is fit for purpose to deliver on renewable energy targets and facilitating further hybrid grid connections.
Grid connection policy is the responsibility the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Ireland’s independent electricity and gas regulator. The Enduring Connection Policy (ECP) is the system established by CRU for issuing connection offers to the electricity grid for new generation and storage capacity in Ireland and a decision paper on the Enduring Connection Policy Stage 2 (ECP-2) was published on the 10 June 2020. ECP-2 prioritises, large renewable energy projects to maximise the amount and efficiency of renewable energy connecting to the grid. It also facilitates community-led renewable energy projects in line with Government policy by allocating up to fifteen connection offers per year to such projects
Sharing of grid connections between renewable energy technologies has significant potential to reduce the costs of deploying renewable energy to the grid. It is understood that single owner hybrids (shared connections) can be facilitated through existing regulatory policy. Regulatory arrangements, market rules and future RESS auctions will be assessed to facilitate additional hybrid connections.
