Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2022
26. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Government will be prepared to target subsidies to help compensate businesses for loss of operations in the extreme circumstance of energy blackouts; if not, if the Government will intervene in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46746/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of supply, has the duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take sure measures as it considers necessary to protect the security of supply. It is assisted in this role by EirGrid, the electricity transmission system operator. The CRU, currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters. The programme, which was published in September 2021, contains a number of both demand-side and supply-side mitigation measures to address any potential shortfall. On 27 June 2022, the CRU published an update on the actions within the programme and this is available on their website. The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate mitigation measures to further reduce risks this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
In the extreme event that electricity demand exceeds supply, EirGrid and ESB Networks have emergency plans in place with detailed procedures to safely operate the system. There are no plans to provide subsidies as compensation in the case there are power cuts.
The Government is acutely aware of the importance of protecting jobs, in order to protect businesses, during this energy crisis and in the budget has introduced a new temporary Business Energy Support Scheme of up to €10,000 per company to help meet rising energy costs. The scheme will support eligible companies, covering up to 40% of the increase in their energy bills.
