Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
49. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the progress made on the commitment in the Programme for Government to "Explore if legislation could be enacted to divert surplus renewable energy, which would otherwise be wasted, to homes in fuel poverty"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72699/25]
View answer109. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures being taken by his Department to decrease the waste of surplus renewable energy, which was as much as 1,169 GWh in the ten months of this year to October 31; if consideration will be given to redirecting this surplus energy to heat water in the homes of families living in social and affordable housing, at no cost to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73062/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 109 together.
Imperfections and dispatch down is a major challenge facing electricity systems, like ours, that are increasingly powered by renewables. This complex issue can only be addressed by taking a systematic and multi-faceted approach requiring investment in grid, storage and demand flexibility.
Government is already taking steps to invest in this critical energy infrastructure. For example, PR6 will enable the delivery of over 500 capital network projects, supporting the integration of increasing volumes of renewables and helping to reduce the amount of wasted energy. In July, the Government committed to investing €3.5 billion of NDP funding in EirGrid and ESB Networks in order to ensure that the PR6 infrastructure programme can be delivered. Legislation providing the legal mechanism necessary for the investment of €1.5 billion of this funding into ESBN has now passed all stages and was signed into law by the President last month. Further legislation in relation to the investment in Eirgrid will be progressed next year.
Last year, my Department published the Electricity Storage Policy Framework for Ireland which supported the procurement of 500 MW of demand flexibility products by ESBN, and 500 MW of long duration electricity storage by EirGrid to meet specific network needs. Work is already underway to ensure the timely delivery of both.
In June, EirGrid established the Renewable Dispatch Down Working Group. This group is actively working with renewable industry representatives to identify additional actions that could improve levels of dispatch down.
Demand flexibility can also help to support our transition to a renewables-led energy system. The National Energy Demand Strategy aims to make 20% to 30% of electricity demand flexible by 2030. A key aspect of this strategy is preparing households and businesses to maximise their use of renewables.
The National Energy Affordability Taskforce was established by my Department to identify and assess measures to enhance energy affordability for households and businesses. The first report of the taskforce was published last month with an Energy Affordability Action Plan to be prepared next year. The taskforce will progress the Programme for Government commitment raised by the Deputy and the action plan will incorporate measures to further address dispatch down.
