From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
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Joint energy emergency exercises were successfully held on 9 and 16 September to test the response to a hypothetical and unlikely disruption to Ireland’s gas and electricity supplies.
Routine exercises of this nature are held regularly – to stress-test the systems and procedures that are in place to ensure that the government, State agencies and industry are prepared to effectively manage a range of potential scenarios. Such exercises are critical to ensure a coordinated response to major incidents in the unlikely or rare event that they occur, and are in compliance with EU legislation on the security of energy supply.
These emergency exercises involve a number of government departments and key stakeholders in the energy sector, including Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, ESB Networks, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU).
Gas Networks Ireland is the lead body on gas-related exercises, while EirGrid and ESB Networks lead on electricity-related exercises. The CRU oversees the overarching emergency plans, and works in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Gas Networks Ireland and EirGrid, the latter working in conjunction with ESB Networks, have robust procedures in place with regard to gas and electricity supplies, and regularly participate in simulation exercises to test a range of potential scenarios. The role played by these bodies is critical in ensuring a coordinated response to major incidents, should they take place.
While a significant disruption to energy supplies is unlikely, it would have an impact across multiple sectors. The government is acutely aware of the effect that such a disruption would have on Irish households and businesses and is committed to ensuring that the risk is minimised and prepared for. As such, the established Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework structures for dealing with a major emergency would ensure a 'whole of government' response. In these circumstances, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications would be the lead government department and would convene and chair the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) in the National Energy Coordination Centre (NECC) to coordinate the government’s response to the energy emergency.
The final day of this round of exercises was successfully completed today (Friday, 16 September) in the NECC, with valuable input from all of the key stakeholders involved. This will inform future exercises.
ENDS
A statement was issued by Minister Ryan on 30 August in which the Minister addressed energy security, energy prices and supports, particularly for vulnerable households.
The CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), which has a statutory responsibility to ensure security of electricity supply, currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters.
This programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply-side mitigation measures to address any potential shortfall. The actions include: procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; and improved demand-side measures.
Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate (demand-side) mitigation measures to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.
The National Energy Security Framework (NESF), which was approved by Government and published in April 2022, sets out Ireland’s response to our energy security needs (in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine) and our specific national circumstances.
The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has set up an Energy Security Emergency Group (chaired by the Secretary General) – under the National Energy Security Framework. This group coordinates and oversees activity and responses — at a national level — in relation to the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on energy security. The group includes representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU); Gas Networks Ireland; EirGrid; the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA); and the SEAI.
Its work includes:
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) has statutory responsibility to ensure security of electricity supply. It has a duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply.
The CRU is assisted in its statutory role by EirGrid, which is required to report to the CRU (with regard to security of electricity supply matters). EirGrid is responsible for the day-to-day management of the electricity system (grid), in its role as the Transmission System Operator (TSO). EirGrid works closely with ESB Networks – the Distribution System Operator (DSO) – in managing the flows of electricity throughout the whole grid.
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s distribution and transmission national gas network and is responsible for safely and securely transporting gas to over 710,000 homes and businesses across the country.