I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
Electricity storage systems, including large-scale Lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (Li-BESS), are critical in providing flexibility to the Irish electricity system. Electricity storage systems increase the volume of renewable electricity on the grid as well as providing grid efficiency functions. Electricity storage systems in this way support Ireland’s legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reductions, as set out in the latest iteration of the Climate Action Plan.
My Department is developing an electricity storage policy framework due for publication in Q2, 2024. The electricity storage policy framework will set out the safety and regulatory structures in place, with particular focus on the International Electrotechnical commission (IEC) and European Standards (EN) adopted by member states and developed by the European committee for standardisation (CEN), the European committee for electrotechnical standardisation (CENELEC) and the European telecommunication standards institute (ETSI).
The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) are responsible for reviewing the regulatory treatment of storage, including licensing, charging and market incentives.
Planning policy and related guidelines are a matter for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the first instance, and not one in which my Department would have any direct function.
An Bord Pleanála and the individual planning authorities assess electricity storage planning applications with recourse to all relevant policy documentation, consistent with the National Planning Framework. Principal assessment criteria, in addition to compliance with national, regional and local policies, will depend on the specific electricity storage project under assessment and the proposed location, but considerations may include: fire safety standards; the most efficient use of land and infrastructure; the visual impacts of storage units; and potential environmental / ecological risks posed by storage projects in proposed locations.
