Press release
Minister Ryan announces new energy cooperation agreements with United Kingdom
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
Memorandum of Understanding will increase renewable energy development, electricity interconnection and security of gas supply.
Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, today signed two new Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with Claire Coutinho, the UK Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) which will increase cooperation for developing offshore renewable energy, explore further electricity interconnection opportunities and enhance security of gas supplies.
The first MoU on ‘Cooperation in the Energy Transition, Offshore Renewables and Electricity Interconnection’ will facilitate increased cooperation on opportunities for further electrical interconnection between the island of Ireland and Great Britain.
The second MoU signed today on ‘Cooperation for Natural Gas Security of Supply’, highlights the increasingly constructive energy relationship between Ireland and the UK. The purpose of this MoU is to strengthen established practices and cooperation between the two States and relevant departments on the security of natural gas supply. It outlines how the two States will work together in the event of a reduction or disruption of supply.
Electricity Interconnectors enable electricity trading between countries and this trade will play a vital role in our shared energy future. The opportunities to be explored will include the feasibility of a joint multipurpose interconnector project.
The MoU will also facilitate increased information-sharing between Ireland and the UK on the transition to renewable energy and deployment of onshore and offshore renewable energy, including renewable and low carbon hydrogen.
Welcoming the announcement of both MoUs, Minister Ryan said:
"Climate change does not recognise borders so it is vital that we work in collaboration with our closest neighbours when it comes to realising the potential of renewable energy to achieve our climate goals and greater energy security. Increased levels of cooperation regarding offshore renewable energy, offshore grids and enhanced interconnection is both productive and timely for Ireland because the UK’s status as the global leader in the development of offshore renewable energy, and Ireland’s considerable offshore renewable resource.
"The UK is Ireland’s closest and one of our most important energy partners. Ireland will therefore benefit significantly from plans to explore development of further interconnection between our all-island electricity market and Great Britain. This highlights the benefits of enhanced interconnection, which include increased security of supply, improved wholesale market competition and the possibility to export surplus renewable electricity during times of oversupply.
"In future most of our energy needs will be met by renewable electricity, but as we transition natural gas will play a crucial back-up role in Ireland’s energy system. I welcome the opportunity to reaffirm and strengthen the well-established arrangements and engagement with the UK as we work to enhance the security of energy supply in parallel to decarbonising our economy."
UK Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:
"As two nations committed to boosting energy resilience and reaching net zero, today marks a historic moment for the UK and Ireland, as we work more closely together to achieve our shared energy goals.
"The UK continues to lead the world on energy security and reaching net zero, accelerating our deployment of renewables and homegrown supplies of energy, while working in collaboration with international partners to tackle climate change.
"Today’s landmark agreements will see us deepen our energy partnership with Ireland, to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy to our homes and businesses, and grow our economies."
Ireland’s interconnection capacity currently stands at 500 MW via a single connection to the UK market. Capacity is set to more than treble by 2027, to 1,700 MW, which will include a return of direct interconnection between Ireland and the EU via the ‘Celtic Interconnector’.
The key aspects of Ireland’s new policy on electricity interconnection include:
o a second connection with France beyond the Celtic Interconnector
o a connection to Spain
o a further connection to Great Britain beyond 2030 in the context of the MoU
o a connection to Belgium or the Netherlands; and
o additional interconnection required to support the export of renewable electricity in the context of other uses, such as green hydrogen
Ireland receives the majority of its natural gas from the UK and this will increase in the coming years as Ireland’s indigenous gas supply, from the Corrib gas field, declines. There is already established and close cooperation with the UK at Departmental, Regulator and Transmission System Operator level on gas emergency planning and testing. Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) and National Gas, which operates the gas transmission system in Great Britain, have a Joint Protocol for Load Shedding at the Moffat Interconnection Point in gas supply emergencies. This protocol sets out that, in the event of a shortage of natural gas supply in the UK that could affect supplies in Ireland, the overriding principal that will be applied is one of proportionality. In the event of a disruption to gas supplies, any reductions would be on a proportional basis across the UK and Ireland. The MoU facilitates continuing and strengthening cooperation with the UK on natural gas security of supply matters.
The department has undertaken a review of security of energy supply of Ireland’s electricity and natural gas systems focused on the period to 2030, but in the context of ensuring a sustainable transition up to 2050. The forthcoming Energy Security Package, which will be published shortly, will include recommendations to further support and strengthen Ireland’s energy security of supply.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 (CAP23), launched in December 2022, is the second annual update to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2019. This plan is the first to be prepared under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021, and following the introduction of economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings. Implementation of the Climate Action Plan will create jobs, new economic opportunities and protect people and the planet. You can view CAP23 and its annex of actions on the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications website or visit www.gov.ie/climateaction.