SuperNode submitted its response to the EirGrid consultation ‘Shaping our Electricity Future’ which details four approaches to developing Ireland’s electricity grid.
SuperNode’s core critique is that the plans do not think far enough forward. While it is important to meet our 2030 renewables targets, the future does not end there. Grid infrastructure takes a very long time to develop and 2030 is just an intermediary point on the way to a fully decarbonised energy system by 2050.
The Irish government has set out ambitious new targets in their Climate Action Plan which state that by 2030 Ireland will have 5GW of offshore wind, 8.2 GW of onshore wind and 5GW of solar. These targets are not reflected in EirGrid’s scenarios which vary renewables share across the four scenarios. This creates an inconsistency between the Irish government and the Irish TSO which is inappropriate.
SuperNode Market and Policy Analyst Marcos Byrne, who led the response, said:
“SuperNode is delighted to see interest in planning for our future energy system. However, EirGrid needs to view 2030 as only a steppingstone on the path of decarbonisation. When it comes to infrastructure investments, 2030 is short term. EirGrid’s planning should reach beyond 2030 and provide guidance to reflect the ambition of the government’s climate and renewable energy targets.”
Ireland has a unique opportunity to capitalise on our vast offshore wind resources, develop our industry and to become an energy exporter. There is much to gain for Ireland and EirGrid through more long-term thinking.
View SuperNode’s full response here: SuperNode: Shaping Our Electricity Future
You can also view SuperNode’s letter of support for Wind Energy Ireland’s response here: SuperNode letter of support for WEI