Written Answers Nos. 208-220
208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the measures he is taking to address the barriers to hybrid connections to facilitate wind, solar and battery technology on the same site for example; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27820/23]
View answerHybrid connections play a key role in providing flexibility to the Irish electricity system and helping to increase the volume of renewable energy on the grid.
Climate Action Plan 2023 sets out a specific action to 'Ensure that hybrid technology grid connections are facilitated, and remaining barriers removed'. The objective of this action is to accelerate investments in renewable power by allowing more than one renewable power source or related technology, such as storage, to share a grid connection.
This action is led by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), in conjunction with EirGrid and ESB Networks and is due to be completed by Q4 2023. CRU has started to work with EirGrid and ESB Networks on the technical, commercial and legal issues involved.
Additionally, the second Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 2) recognised the important role of hybrid connections in delivering renewable targets and introduced, for the first time, the option for developers to couple renewable electricity generation types along with storage facilities on their project site.Supported technologies within RESS 2 and now RESS 3, include onshore wind, solar and hybrids (co-located wind and solar, co-located wind and storage, or co-located solar and storage). A number of such hybrid projects were successful in the RESS 2 auction and Government will continue to support hybrid projects in this manner. Standalone storage projects, such as batteries, are not eligible for support under the RESS if they are not part of a hybrid project and rather are incentivised through the wholesale electricity market mechanisms.
209. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the date on which the green hydrogen strategy will be published; if he will provide an update on its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27821/23]
View answerA hydrogen strategy for Ireland is being finalised by my Department.
Hydrogen provides us with an incredible opportunity in Ireland. It provides the potential for long duration energy storage, dispatchable renewable electricity, the opportunity to decarbonise some parts of high temperature processing and a potential export market opportunity, given Ireland's offshore renewable energy potential. The strategy will provide certainty to industry on the role and priority end-uses that hydrogen is envisioned to play in decarbonising our economy, as well as what needs to be done to enable the development of Ireland's hydrogen industry, delivering an important first step in the establishment of a significant hydrogen industry in Ireland.
210. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications in the wake of ORESS 1 and in advance of ORESS 2, if consideration is being given to an auction process which assesses projects not solely based on price but on other factors such as track-record, readiness of project, planning approvals and so on; what the benefits of either approach are; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27822/23]
View answerThe provisional results of the first offshore wind auction, ORESS 1, announced on 11 May 2023, were hugely positive, both in terms of the volume procured, over 3GW, and the average price secured, at €86.05 per megawatt hour, which is one of the lowest prices paid by an emerging offshore wind market in the world. The capacity procured in ORESS 1 will go a long way to ensuring that we achieve our Climate Action Plan targets for 2030 of at least 5 GW of offshore wind and 80 % of our electricity demand met by renewable energy sources.
While successful projects were ultimately selected in ORESS 1 based on price, in order to enhance deliverability of successful projects, this selection process was preceded by a rigorous qualification stage. This included the requirement for participating projects to hold a Grid Connection Assessment from EirGrid, with a Maximum Export Capacity corresponding to the ORESS 1 Offer Quantity, and a Maritime Area Consent, which itself required significant financial and technical capability assessments. The ORESS 1 process therefore included both quantitative and qualitative assessments.
My Department is already preparing the auction design for auctions which align with my Department's plan-led Phase Two offshore wind policy. The first of these auctions, ORESS 2.1, is planned to launch before the end of the year, and will award a contract within a Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) site off our south coast. I expect to publish a public consultation document next month on the design of ORESS auctions in Phase Two. That document will set out the proposed auction design, including both quantitative and qualitative elements, and will invite stakeholders to submit their views to further inform the process.
The ORESS 2 design is likely to include a range of qualification criteria to be met by parties wishing to bid in the auction, including financial and technical criteria. All additional criteria, such as those suggested by the Deputy, will be considered as part of the ORESS 2 consultation and design process.
211. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart electricity meters installed; the geographic distribution of the smart meters installed; and the amount of funding that has been spent on the installation of smart meters. [27836/23]
View answerThe National Smart Metering Programme will roll out and install 2.4 million meters by 2024 and in the process make available new products and services to energy consumers. It is co-ordinated by the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) with ESB Networks (ESBN) delivering the electricity meter rollout.
The meter rollout is taking place on a phased basis, with around 40,000 meters installed monthly. The total number of smart meters installed at present is just over 1.3 million. The focus to date is on, replacing single phase, 24 hour register meters. The replacement of Day/Night meters and 24 hour register 3 phase meters begins in Q4, 2023.
The replacements started in five planner groups at the end of 2019 with the last planner group starting in Feb 2023 so that smart exchanges are now happening nationally. The following is the geographic spread based on ESB Networks Planner Groups:
|
Planner Group |
Total MPRN |
Installed |
% Installed |
|
ARKLOW |
48,104 |
30,331 |
63% |
|
ATHLONE |
54,350 |
18,567 |
34% |
|
BALLINA |
36,190 |
12,395 |
34% |
|
BANDON |
46,420 |
32,479 |
70% |
|
CASTLEBAR |
37,455 |
9,792 |
26% |
|
CAVAN |
67,528 |
29,274 |
43% |
|
CLONMEL |
44,383 |
19,288 |
43% |
|
CORK |
121,462 |
86,617 |
71% |
|
DROGHEDA |
59,916 |
44,560 |
74% |
|
DUBLIN CENTRAL |
239,015 |
100,350 |
42% |
|
DUBLIN NORTH |
299,863 |
170,830 |
57% |
|
DUBLIN SOUTH |
208,243 |
147,665 |
71% |
|
DUNDALK |
44,549 |
32,065 |
72% |
|
DUNMANWAY |
31,894 |
17,992 |
56% |
|
ENNIS |
53,860 |
35,469 |
66% |
|
ENNISCORTHY |
65,849 |
36,620 |
56% |
|
FERMOY |
60,359 |
39,974 |
66% |
|
GALWAY |
70,849 |
29,704 |
42% |
|
KILKENNY |
56,559 |
37,039 |
65% |
|
KILLARNEY |
49,756 |
30,718 |
62% |
|
KILLYBEGS |
38,141 |
13,492 |
35% |
|
LETTERKENNY |
59,805 |
23,753 |
40% |
|
LIMERICK |
61,729 |
39,849 |
65% |
|
LONGFORD |
41,496 |
6,151 |
15% |
|
MULLINGAR |
51,750 |
29,384 |
57% |
|
NEWCASTLEWEST |
39,222 |
25,190 |
64% |
|
PORTLAOISE |
54,398 |
39,253 |
72% |
|
ROSCREA |
43,800 |
13,532 |
31% |
|
SLIGO |
62,248 |
40,521 |
65% |
|
TIPPERARY |
40,653 |
18,483 |
45% |
|
TRALEE |
48,854 |
23,901 |
49% |
|
TUAM |
42,838 |
9,865 |
23% |
|
TULLAMORE |
54,693 |
36,278 |
66% |
|
WATERFORD |
55,947 |
32,034 |
57% |
|
TOTAL |
2,392,178 |
1,313,415 |
55% |
The investment spend to date totals €527m. This will facilitate the installation of up to 2.4m smart meters, introduction of Time of Use tariffs, the facilitation of interval data availability to all smart meter customers, Smart Pay As You Go services and near real time data in the home.
With this volume of smart meters already installed Ireland has now achieved a critical mass. The next step is to ensure that we maximise the benefits of this critical public infrastructure for consumers and for the resilience of our energy system as we accelerate its decarbonisation.
As the rollout of the National Smart Metering Programme is co-ordinated by CRU and the ESBN, my Department does not maintain oversight on the day-to-day of Smart Metering. In terms of more detailed area specific information on the National Smart Metering Programme, CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of smart heating controls grants awarded in 2022 and Q1 2023; the geographic spread, per local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27840/23]
View answer213. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2022; and how much of this was drawn down in 2022. [27841/23]
View answer214. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the funding allocated for smart heating controls grants in 2023; and how much of this has been drawn down to date in 2023. [27842/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, together.
The installation of heating controls is one of the energy efficiency measures supported under the SEAI administered grant schemes. Heating controls are an excellent way to control a household's energy usage and improve comfort. A grant of €700 is available towards the cost of installing heating controls. This is available under all of the part-funded residential retrofit schemes. Heating controls can also be installed as part of a wider retrofit under the fully funded Warmer Homes scheme.
Figures in relation to the total number and geographic spread of heating controls installed are not routinely supplied by the SEAI to my Department. The majority of grants for heating controls are paid out under the Better Energy Homes scheme which provides individual grants for a range of measures, allowing homeowners to take a step-by-step approach to their retrofit.
There is no ring-fenced budget allocation for heating control measures. Budget 2023 has allocated approximately €360 million in total for residential and community retrofit schemes, including a capital allocation for the Better Energy Homes scheme of €48.5 million.
Under the Better Energy Homes scheme in 2022, 1,602 grants for heating controls were paid out at a cost of €1.15m. To end April 2023, 428 grants for heating controls were paid out at a cost of just under €300k.
However, heating controls are also installed where heat pumps are installed, and as part of more extensive upgrade projects under the One Stop Shop, Community Energy Grant and Warmer Homes schemes. These are not included in the above figures.
215. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the total spend on consulting services and on ‘business-as-usual’ outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of ‘Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016’ for each non-commercial public body under the aegis of his Department for the year 2022. [27961/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is a direct operational matter for each of the relevant non-commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department. The relevant bodies will be asked to provide the information sought directly to Deputy.
216. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of undersea cables categorised as 'critical infrastructure' that pass through marine waters in the Irish EEZ; and if he will outline, in tabular form, the ownership of same, by state, and/or by public or private entity. [27995/23]
View answerFollowing clarification with the Deputy’s office that the scope of this question is undersea cables that pass through marine waters in the Irish EEZ without landing in the Irish State, I can inform the Deputy that my Department does not hold information on the number of undersea telecommunications cables categorised as 'critical infrastructure' that pass through marine waters in the Irish EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone).
217. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if fibre broadband service will be provided to an area (details supplied) as part of the current roll out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28015/23]
View answerThe premises referred to in the Question is located in the BLUE area on the NBP High-Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website at www.broadband.gov.ie.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these State aid rules. The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and my Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
In December 2022 my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets namely:
* all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028;
* all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030, and
* digital connectivity will be delivered to all schools and broadband connection points by 2023.
The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the telecommunications industry and this will be complemented by the National Broadband Plan.
218. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which policies to achieve 2030 climate goals have been tested in order to create behavioural change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28054/23]
View answerThe provision of an evidence base for climate policy is a priority action for Government under the Climate Action Plan 2023. Behavioural change is one of the four pillars of the National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA).
Under the NDCA my Department has: 1) supported the EPA Climate Change in the Irish Mind Survey, which is a benchmark of attitudes and behaviours around climate change in Ireland; 2) delivered the Climate Conversations identifying where we can support people in making behavioural changes; and 3) funded a series of behavioural studies which are informing climate and sectoral policy design.
In 2021, my Department also established the first National Social and Behavioural Advisory Group. It includes Government Departments, behavioural researchers from the EPA's Behavioural Unit, the SEAI's Behavioural Economics Unit, the ESRI’s Behavioural Research Unit, NESC, and social and behavioural academics. The Advisory Board provides expertise to inform the design of the annual Climate Action Plan and sectoral policies across many areas, including energy, transport, just transition, and the built environment.
The cumulative insights from the NDCA programme serve to inform policy design where behavioural change is important, to benchmark attitudes and behaviours for longitudinal comparison, and test the effectiveness of policy.
219. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of staff seconded to his Department from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the title and/or role they filled; and the duration of same. [28176/23]
View answerThere was one individual seconded to my Department from the company referred to in the Question between April 2012 and June 2014. They held the role of Financial Advisor.
220. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the number of instances in which his Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the costs of same; the number of contracts between the company and his Department; and the duration and costs of same. [28195/23]
View answerMy Department has availed of six advisory/consultancy services with the company referred to in the Question over the last 10 years.
Details of these contracts are contained in the Table below:
|
Contract |
Cost (including VAT) € |
Duration |
Year |
|
Financial Advisory Service |
332,127 |
26 months |
2012-2014 |
|
Capacity Review for Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment |
81,800 |
3 months |
2014 |
|
Economic and Strategic Advisory Service (National Broadband Plan) |
2,926,292 |
6 years |
2015-2020 |
|
Advisory Services |
164,565 |
3 months |
2021 |
|
Economic consultancy |
30,627 |
2 months |
2023 |
|
Technical and advisory support services |
73,800 (est) |
12 months |
2023-2024 |
