Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
33. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the cause of the recent electricity shortages and amber alerts; and if the increased demand from data centres has been taken into account. [3606/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSystem Alerts (previously known as amber alerts) are issued by EirGrid during periods when there is an elevated risk of not being able to meet electricity system demand. There were three System Alerts in 2020 and to-date in 2021 there has been one which occurred on Wednesday 6 January. As the transmission system operator EirGrid is responsible for the safe and secure operation of Ireland’s electricity system and has the experience and expertise necessary to manage the operation of the system ensuring that there has, to date, been no loss of supply to consumers due to the System Alerts. The System Alerts are due to a combination of factors including: increased demand for electricity, low levels of wind generation, some power stations not being available to generate when needed, and pressures on the electricity system in Great Britain which limits the benefits of electricity interconnectors. In addition, Covid-19 has led to an increased demand from the residential sector and has impacted the maintenance of some power stations reducing their availability at key times.
Increasing demand is a key factor taken into account in EirGrid's forward planning. The connection of new large energy users, such as data centres, is a key driver of electricity demand. EirGrid, in its Generation Capacity Statement 2020-2029, projects that demand from data centres could account for 27% of electricity demand by 2029.
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid are taking a range of actions to ensure adequate generation capacity is available to meet demand. These actions include capacity market auctions which incentivise the development of new generation capacity.
My Department continues to engage with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities and EirGrid to ensure secure supplies of electricity to meet Ireland's needs.
