Written Answers Nos. 100-119
101. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when clarity will be provide to the SEAI by his Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications to ensure that applicants to the enhanced defective concrete block grant scheme can avail of the maximum SEAI retrofitting grant. [21632/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHomeowners eligible for works under the Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) scheme may apply for energy upgrade grants administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Homeowners whose applications comply with the existing SEAI Scheme criteria and guidelines can access SEAI grants in line with the usual application processes that apply. Further information in that regard is available at Home Energy Upgrades | Home Energy | SEAI.
My Department and SEAI are aware however of the particular issues arising for DCB homeowners that do not currently comply with the SEAI scheme terms and conditions. Examples of such situations include homeowners that previously received SEAI grant support to upgrade a home which now needs to be demolished due to defective concrete block and wish to avail of further SEAI grant supports for their new home.
The Department is working with SEAI to develop an approach to address these matters. The Department is actively engaging with SEAI and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to the proposals which are expected to be finalised in the coming weeks.
SEAI continues to engage directly with impacted homeowners on a case by case basis to discuss their particular circumstances. A specific page on the SEAI website provides further information for DCB affected homeowners (Defective Concrete Blocks Affected Homeowners | Individual Energy Upgrades | SEAI). Homeowners can also contact the SEAI at a dedicated DCB phone number 01-8082004 or by email at dcb@seai.ie.
102. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the amount of tax collected on plastic bottles and cans since the deposit return scheme was introduced, and the amount in deposits paid back to customers in each of those months. [21718/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo tax has been or will be collected on plastic bottles or aluminium cans under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Data relating to the fully-refundable deposits paid is being provided by producers and retailers to Re-Turn in respect of each month. This is a new obligation on producers and retailers and requires some time for collation and verification by Re-Turn.
To date, over 105m beverage containers have been returned by the Irish public under the DRS. The total value of deposits returned to the public in this period amounts to over €18m.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the deposit return scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21184/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Deposit Return Scheme went live on 1 February, 90m containers have been returned and €16m has been refunded to consumers in deposits. Daily return rates regularly exceed 2m containers and this rate is expected to rise in the coming months.
104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications for an update on the roll out of the national broadband plan specifically in relation to counties Cavan and Monaghan; if he will outline what percentage of both counties have received connections under the scheme; how much is left to do, and the timeframe for same. [21190/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra119. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the rollout of high-speed broadband in Cavan and Monaghan. [21323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 119 together.
Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) are connecting circa 4,000 homes each month. NBI expect to have passed in excess of 300,000 premises by the end of 2024 with circa 120,000 premises passed each year thereafter until the end of deployment at which point over 560,000 will be passed.
I am advised by NBI that over 243,000 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 80,200 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan’s high-speed broadband network.
In county Cavan over 6,800 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and available for immediate connection which represents 41% of the premises within the Intervention area. At the end of April 2024, 2,324 premises are now connected in Cavan which represents a take up rate of 34%.
In county Monaghan over 9,900 premises are passed and available for immediate connection which represents 63% of the premises within the Intervention area. At the end of April 2024, 3,679 premises are now connected in Monaghan which represents a take up rate of 37%.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cavan and County Monaghan and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators’ in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
105. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the implications at household level as a result of the extension of the ETS to cover domestic heating; the projected additional costs to householders with a threshold set at €45/tonne; if this is on top of existing domestic carbon tax commitments; if not, its implication for the carbon fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra106. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the implications at the fuel pumps as a result of the extension of the ETS to cover transport emissions; the projected additional costs road users with a threshold set at €45/tonne; if this is on top of existing domestic carbon tax commitments; if not, its implication for the carbon fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21219/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.
Directive 2023/959 extends the Emissions Trading System to the buildings, road transport and additional (mainly small industry) sectors (ETS II). The buildings and road transport sectors include the supply of fuels used for domestic heating and for road use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be the competent authority for ETS II in Ireland.Directive 2023/959 provides that ETS II activities would be regulated via a release for consumption method. The regulated entities would be the ‘upstream’ suppliers, such as fuel importers and distributors. Permitting of regulated entities by the EPA will commence later this year. The regulated entities will be required to surrender emissions allowances in respect of each year (from 2027), equivalent to the CO2 emissions associated with the fossil fuels used. The triggering of the compliance obligation is the release on the market of the eligible fuels for consumption in the sectors set out in Annex III to the DirectiveWhile supporting the increased ambition for the EU ETS, the Directive extends emissions trading to sectors of the economy that are currently covered by Ireland’s domestic carbon tax. Ireland has, therefore, notified a request for a derogation under the Directive, which allows for a Member State with a carbon tax equivalent or higher than the average ETS II auction rate, to be exempted from the obligation on regulated entities to surrender ETS II allowances for the years 2027 to 2030. This derogation requires initial approval by the European Commission and periodically thereafter. The Commission’s assessment of the derogation notification is expected shortly.In the event of the application of the derogation, regulated entities will not be obliged to hold and surrender allowances and will not be expected to incur any significant additional costs that may be passed on to end-users and consumers. Any additional costs for the regulated entities would be limited to the administrative costs of monitoring and reporting fuel usage to the EPA as the competent authority.
107. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21230/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware a landfill levy on the disposal of waste at landfills has been in place for more than two decades currently levied at €85 per tonne and as of the 1st September 2023 there is also a waste recovery levy on the incineration, co-incineration, backfilling and waste exported for recovery currently levied at €10 per tonne.
To date, Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste has been exempt from these environmental levies. However, C&D is the fastest growing waste stream, accounting for over half of the total waste currently being generated in Ireland with only 8% being recycled or reused. Given that substantial volumes of this weight are potentially preventable, re-usable or recyclable it presents a significant opportunity for Ireland’s transition to a more circular economy.
The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced measures to support this transition such as the national by-product (prevention and reuse) and end of waste (recycling) decisions for construction materials. These decisions allow for usable C&D material to be treated as a resource rather than a waste thereby delivering considerable savings for the construction sector.
Consequently, I intend to amend the Waste Recovery and Landfill Levy Regulations to remove the levy exemptions for C&D waste with effect from 1st September 2024. Therefore, C&D waste disposed of or recovered, from the 1st September, will be subject to these environmental levies.
C&D waste that is disposed at landfills under the Landfill Levy will not be charged the full €85/tonne levy rate, instead a lower rate of €10 per tonne will be introduced for this waste stream. C&D waste going to recovery will be levied at €10 per tonne under the waste recovery levy.
The purpose of removing this exemption for C&D waste is to incentivise the construction industry to reduce the amount of C&D waste it currently sends to waste recovery or disposal and re-use the material in accordance with the EPA Circular Economy initiatives to achieve cost savings.
Key stakeholders including the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) have already been notified in relation to the removal of the C&D waste levy exemptions and the local authority system is currently making arrangements for the collection of the levies for C&D waste, whether disposed or recovered, with effect from 1st September 2024.
108. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the fact that disabled people in rural areas cannot avail of the deposit return scheme as collection machines are not generally available in small retail outlets; and if he would consider introducing a grant to small retailers who cannot afford to purchase a collection machine. [21244/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith the advice of the National Disability Authority, Re-turn, the DRS operator, is embarking on an engagement process that will ensure accessibility issues for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) are addressed meaningfully and in line with best practice.
Supports from Re-Turn are already in place for small businesses. In addition to handling fees payable to all retailers, exemptions from take-back services are available for small businesses along with financial support for the installation of Reverse Vending Machines.
Small businesses may also avail of the Government’s Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) grant, which was announced as part of Budget 2024 and is available to qualifying small and medium enterprises.
109. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if Ireland has purchased the gas storage ship it announced in 2023 which customers were told that they would be paying for through their household bills; if, given that Ireland has apparently less than two years' supply of gas left and this ship was intended for reserves, the ship has been purchased; if customers have begun paying for it; to provide a status update; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21263/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government approved and published the 'Energy Security in Ireland to 2030' report, its supporting Annexes and work programme of 28 actions last November. The comprehensive report concludes that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from a fossil fuel-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and being integrated into Europe’s energy systems.
With regard to gas, the report determines that Ireland’s natural gas supplies and infrastructure are adequate to meet our demand projections, but Ireland does not have adequate resilience in case of a major disruption to our gas imports. As a transitional measure, it is necessary to introduce a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve to address security needs in the medium-term, to be used only if a disruption to gas supplies occurs.
Based on preliminary analysis by my Department, it is anticipated that in terms of delivery options, a Strategic Gas Emergency Reserve provided through a storage and importation facility, in the form of a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit, is the most appropriate approach.
As a final part of the review of Ireland’s energy security, my Department, in consultation with Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) are completing a detailed examination of the optimal approach to deliver the emergency gas reserve.
110. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the 'public warning system' which enables mobile phone operators in Ireland to send warnings to the public via text message on behalf of the Government before or during large-scale public emergencies or when there is danger to life; if, given that it is EU law that every State operates a warning system to alert citizens to a national emergency, he will respond regarding an announcement around this in 2023; what progress has been made with respect to any implementation; to provide a timeline for the completion of this emergency service fully tested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21264/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2023, Ireland put in place a mobile phone-based emergency public warning text system, as required under Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive. The Public Warning System (PWS) enables mobile phone operators to send texts to the public, on behalf of the Government, giving information on developments in the event of a major emergency or disaster. The PWS will be activated only in the most exceptional of circumstances, where there is a major emergency or disaster which poses a significant and imminent threat to human life, property, or the environment. The system becomes part of the Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) structures that are already in place. In the appropriate circumstances it will be another channel, among the existing channels such as social media, TV and radio, to provide information to the public. In the longer term, the Government’s intention is to establish a cell broadcast system, similar to that used in some other countries, for transmitting public warning messages. My Department has published a Call for Tender relating to the procurement of the necessary advisory services to support the implementation of a national Cell Broadcast Public Warning System, details of which are available on gov.ie at www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=3462824. It is anticipated that the new system will be operational in December 2025, subject to procurement timelines.
111. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 166 of 30 April 2024, to list all Acts sponsored by his Department, or Statutory Instruments signed by Ministers at his Department, from 20 February 2020 to date, and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21296/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being compiled by my Department, and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
112. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications what penalties Ireland will accrue if it does not meet its 2030 targets of a reduction of 50% on emissions and the 2050 target of 100% reduction on emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21375/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 (the Act) sets ambitious and legally binding targets for Ireland to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by no later than 2050, and to reduce GHG emissions by 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. The Act establishes a robust framework with clear targets and commitments enshrined in law, ensuring that the necessary structures and processes, such as carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, are statutorily embedded to support the achievement of Ireland's climate goals in the short and long term.
The legally binding nature of our emissions reduction targets places a firm obligation on the current and future Governments to maintain sustained climate action. The Environmental Protection Agency's annual GHG inventories and projections reports, along with the Climate Change Advisory Council's (CCAC) annual review and report, inform the monitoring of national and sectoral progress towards each carbon budget and sectoral emissions ceiling.
Following the publication of the CCAC's annual review and report by 30 October each year, relevant Ministers will be obliged to account for their performance before an Oireachtas Committee. This accountability will cover both the implementation of Climate Action Plan policies, measures and actions, as well as adherence to the sector's emissions ceilings under the carbon budget. In cases where Ministers fail to comply with the targets, they will be required to present the corrective measures they intend to take. Ministers will also be required to attend the Committee and provide responses to any recommendations made by the Committee within a three-month period. This 'comply or explain' approach aims to ensure heightened scrutiny and accountability.
The annual revision of the Climate Action Plan serves as an additional review mechanism, providing an opportunity to readjust or refocus actions to ensure the achievement of targets. The Department of the Taoiseach will continue to be responsible for reporting and publishing progress under the Climate Action Plan.
Despite the robust framework established by the Act, Ireland may still face significant compliance costs if it fails to meet its emissions reduction targets. Under the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), Ireland has an overall annual emissions reduction target for the sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). If Ireland exceeds these annual targets, it may need to purchase Annual Emissions Allocation units (AEAs) from other Member States with surplus allowances. A joint research paper finalised in February 2023 by my own Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform estimated the potential cumulative costs of compliance with the ESR up to 2030 being between €3.5 billion and €8.1 billion, although these estimates are subject to considerable uncertainty.
Moreover, if Ireland exceeds its five-year carbon budget at the end of a budget period, the excess emissions will be deducted from the next budget, necessitating even greater emissions reductions to comply with the new budget. The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council estimates that transition costs could reduce Exchequer revenue by an annual rate of 0.9% (about €1.5 billion in today's money) up to 2030, and the Government may face annual costs of between €1.6 billion and €3 billion over the years 2026 to 2030, depending on the extent of private sector investment.
In addition to compliance and transition costs, Ireland may also face increased adaptation costs. The State may incur additional costs of about €0.5 billion or 0.2% of GNI* in supporting responses to extreme weather events, and further adaptation costs beyond the €0.1 billion per annum allocated for flood defences in the National Development Plan may also be required.
113. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware that there were two orange alerts on the grid in recent months as high energy demand units continue to be added to the network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEirGrid and ESB-Networks operate a range of tools to keep electricity supply and demand in constant balance to ensure a secure supply of electricity for their customers.
‘System Alerts’ (previously known as amber alerts) are issued by EirGrid when the buffer between electricity supply and demand is tighter than optimum. It serves as a warning to the wider electricity sector to take pre-planned actions to protect the integrity of the grid and avoid entering ‘System Emergency’ when there is a risk that not all electricity demand can be met.
Over winter 2023/24 there were two System Alerts. The first in November was due to a number of forced outages of generation plant occurring at the same time as low wind generation. The second alert in January was due to Storm Isha damaging transmission lines in the Northwest. Over 235,000 customers were without electricity at peak, with the worst damage to the power system in the last 10 years. ESB Networks and EirGrid engineers worked tirelessly to get customers reconnected swiftly and safely.
Large Energy Users (LEUs) can participate voluntarily in the electricity market by offering demand for reduction on a commercial basis by third-party aggregators, as Demand Side Units (DSUs). These DSUs would have been dispatched at various times throughout the winter by the System Operator as a normal market-based measure to balance demand and supply.
If further support is required during a power system emergency, EirGrid can instruct LEUs to implement Mandatory Demand Curtailment (MDC). MDC requires LEUs to reduce their demand by up to 75%, with one hours’ notice, to ensure grid stability. EirGrid has confirmed that no MDC instructions were issued in the last year.
To ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters the Commission for Regulation of Utilities is leading an Electricity Security of Supply Programme of Actions. The latest update on this programme can be found here: www.cru.ie/publications/27004/.
114. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he is aware of the recent planning permission granted for a data centre in Ennis; if he is concerned by the development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21377/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises that data centres are central to Ireland’s economic and digital future and is supportive of sustainable data centre developments, where these developments align with the Climate Action Plan and our national emissions reduction targets.
Despite receipt of planning permission, developers must separately then apply for a connection to the electricity grid. Following the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) Direction to the System Operators related to Data Centre grid connection processing in November 2021, EirGrid must consider any application from a data centre (to connect to the electricity network) against strict assessment criteria including;
• The location of the data centre – whether it is within a constrained or unconstrained region of the electricity system;
• The ability of the data centre applicant to bring on-site dispatchable generation (and/or storage) equivalent to or greater than their demand, which meets technical requirements set out by the System Operator – to support security of supply;
• The ability of the data centre applicant to provide flexibility in their demand, by reducing consumption when requested by the System Operator (when the overall system is constrained).
Additionally, the July 2022 Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy states that ‘islanded’ data centres (that are not connected to the electricity grid and are powered mainly by on-site fossil fuel generation) would not be in line with national policy. To connect to the gas network, developers must comply with this 2022 Government Statement.
In terms of future data centre connection applications, the CRU is currently reviewing its Large Energy Users connection policy, as part of the National Energy Demand Strategy. The aim of this review is to provide a new pathway for Large Energy Users to connect to the electricity and gas systems, that minimises the impact on national carbon emissions while also taking account of the capacity of our energy and grid infrastructure.
115. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he accepts that there is an urgent need to accelerate our offshore wind projects to allow for economic development based on renewables; if he is satisfied that his Department is doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 May 2024, my Department published the Future Framework for Offshore Renewable Energy strategy. This policy sets out a pathway on how we will deliver our ambitions targets of 20 gigawatts by 2040 and at least 37 gigawatts by 2050 offshore targets. The State has set clearly defined and ambitious targets. This policy has established 27 key actions that detail future directions and inter-governmental dependencies that will be addressed through subsequent policy to develop and initiate the long-term, plan-led approach to Ireland’s offshore renewable future. Economic analysis published alongside the Future Framework, estimates that our 37 gigawatts target could be worth €69 billion in gross value added to the state by 2060. This Framework complements the Industrial Strategy for Offshore Wind, published in March by my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
On 3 May 2024, my Department demonstrated this government's commitment to accelerating the development of offshore wind through the publication of the State's first Offshore Energy spatial plan. The draft South Coast DMAP (Designated Maritime Area Plan) identifies four maritime areas off the south coast in which development of offshore renewable energy (ORE) is proposed to take place over the next decade. The first of these areas, Tonn Nua, will have a capacity of approximately 900 megawatts, enough to power almost 1 million homes, will aim for deployment by 2030. An independent economic analysis, published alongside the draft DMAP, estimates inward investment of €4.4 billion if the proposals within the draft DMAP are implemented, with the majority of this inward investment directly benefitting the South Coast region.
Further, Government has established an Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce, which is chaired by my Department, to ensure a joined-up approach to policy development and coordination across government. This cross-government approach ensures a focussed and strategic approach to meeting our ambitious short, medium and long-term targets.
116. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will consider freezing data centre projects until we have sufficient renewables to supply the energy required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOur digital infrastructure is key to Ireland’s position as a strategic international location for IT services. We therefore need to ensure alignment between future development and energy security while working to achieve our decarbonisation ambitions. It is expected that Ireland will in the future have sufficient decarbonised energy to facilitate the economic growth ambitions of both indigenous and MNC businesses, but there are current and real constraints while we are managing the transition pathway.
The July 2022 Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres in Ireland’s Enterprise Strategy outlines principles for sustainable data centre development, providing clear guidance to decision makers in the planning process and encouraging the data centre sector to implement decarbonised energy solutions and to increase efficiency. This Statement expresses the Government’s preference for data centres that can demonstrate additionality of their renewable energy use in Ireland, and which are ultimately decarbonised by design, providing net zero data services.
As we move to higher levels of renewable energy sources it will be necessary for electricity demand to become much more flexible to match when renewable electricity is plentiful, and prices are at their lowest. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) are developing a National Energy Demand Side Strategy (NEDS), with the aim of 20% to 30% of electricity to be flexible by 2030. Large Energy Users (LEUs), such as data centres, will be expected to make up a higher proportional contribution to the NEDS target, as they are making up a high proportion of the increase in electricity demand. As part of the NEDS, the CRU is also undertaking a review of the connection policy for LEUs, which aims to provide a new pathway for LEUs to connect to the energy system, that minimises the impact on national carbon emissions while also taking account of the capacity of our energy and grid infrastructure.
117. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will review the need to classify batteries as dangerous substances when it comes to the building of large battery energy storage systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21381/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra118. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will reclassify batteries as dangerous substances for the purposes of mass storage facilities in rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21383/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 118 together.
In regard to battery classification, Ireland conforms to EU legislation. All batteries in Ireland are manufactured, sold and operated in-line with EU regulation and standards, this includes safety certification and labelling for the marketing and the putting into service of batteries used in electrical storage systems.
EU Directive (2023/1542) – ‘Concerning Batteries & waste batteries’ , sets out the homogenisation of electricity storage batteries as well as the safety testing and certification requirements relevant to battery energy storage systems, such as Lithium-Ion Battery Electricity Storage System (Li-BESS) that deliver electric energy to the grid or store electricity for delivery to electric energy end users.
The batteries used in electricity storage systems in place on the Irish grid also conform to European standards (EN). A European standard (EN) once published by the CEN and CENELEC is considered a National standard and all member states have the obligation to withdraw any national standards that conflict with it.
In Ireland, it is the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), under the remit of the Minister for Business, Employment and Retail, at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who ensures the adoption of European standards in Ireland.
