Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
215. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the steps being taken by his Department to support the deployment of demand flexibility technologies in Ireland’s electricity system, with a view to reducing renewable energy curtailment and maximising the use of surplus wind power; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56765/25]
View answerVarious steps are being taken by my Department and relevant bodies under its aegis to support the deployment of demand flexibility technologies. As referenced in the CRU led National Energy Demand Strategy, front of meter, grid connected electricity storage can assist with demand flexibility on the distribution system.
Action #6 of the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland supports the immediate incorporation of 500mw of demand flexibility onto the distribution system. In line with Action #6 and in conjunction with CRU, ESB Networks have developed a procurement mechanism for demand flexibility. The call for tender for the first batch of 109MW is now live, with further batches expected over the coming years.
Curtailment refers to the reduction in output of generation units because of system wide issues. Curtailment is one element of dispatch down which also includes constraint, local issues, and oversupply, generation exceeding demand. As Transmission System Operator, EirGrid have responsibility for the development of the transmission system and the management of dispatch down. EirGrid are independent of the Minister and operate under the supervision of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) which is an independent regulator, accountable to a Committee of the Oireachtas.
EirGrid has produced data sets showing the likely locations, volumes, and load profile of surplus renewables on our electricity grid out to 2030 as per Action #1 of the National Hydrogen Strategy. The National Hydrogen Programme Taskforce will build on this work to develop the business case for producing hydrogen from surplus renewables.
