Over 400 responses received to consultation on the security of Ireland’s energy supply
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
Over 400 submissions have been received thus far to a consultation on the review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems, which closes today, 28 October 2022. The consultation, carried out by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, invited feedback and evidence from all interested parties on the broad range of options that could be implemented to support Ireland’s security of supply framework.
The consultation document was accompanied by a technical analysis carried out by Cambridge Economic Policy Associates (CEPA).
All responses and submissions received as part of the consultation will be examined and given careful consideration. Following this review process, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, will bring his recommendations on the security of energy supply to Government.
The review of the security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and gas systems is focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of a sustainable transition to net zero emissions by 2050. It considers potential risks to both our natural gas and electricity supplies and examines a range of measures to mitigate these risks, including the need for additional capacity to import energy, to reduce energy use, energy storage, fuel diversification and renewable gases (such as biomethane and hydrogen).
This review does not seek to address the expected tight margins in electricity supply over the coming winters; these are being addressed through a programme of actions being undertaken by the CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), with the support of EirGrid, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and industry.
Commenting on the public consultation, Minister Ryan said:
"It is significant that over 400 individuals and organisations have taken the time to participate in this consultation, which was based on a comprehensive technical analysis of our energy options into the future. All opinions, approaches, evidence and concerns will now be taken into account, against the twin backdrops of Ireland’s energy needs up to 2030 and then beyond, and our climate obligations.
"The recommendations that emerge from this analysis and consultation will not just shape our energy future but will also underpin our economic, social and climate futures. I look forward to bringing them to Government by the end of this year."
ENDS
CEPA have provided the department with a detailed technical analysis and a shorter non-technical summary. The technical analysis consists of three different elements:
The risks identified are examined as demand-side risks and supply-side risks. Demand-side risks include weather events and significant increases in demand. The supply-side risks identified are disruption to UK gas imports, geopolitical risks, electricity generation capacity deficits and low availability of wind generation.
A long list of mitigation options is then created and appraised against a set of key criteria to identify a short list of appropriate mitigation options for further analysis. The key selection criteria used were:
A short list of mitigation options for both gas and electricity that could address potential security of supply gaps in the future are set as follows:
All of these mitigation options were modelled under a number of shock scenarios to understand the impact of each mitigation option and the level of security of supply that each option provides. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, additional scenarios were requested as part of CEPA’s technical analysis to understand the potential impact of a full suspension of all Russian pipeline exports of natural gas to European markets on Irish security of supply. The analysis found that Ireland’s geographic location in Europe (that is, its close connection to Great Britain) helps mitigate the worst impacts of a supply disruption from Russia.
Options on the long list that have not been modelled in detail have not been ruled out at this point. The department is seeking views from interested parties on all matters in the consultation paper.
The CEPA analysis highlights a number of points:
The consultation also seeks parties’ views on wider policy measures that be implemented to support Ireland’s security of supply framework, including: