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Articles by Garrett Monaghan
Ireland launches consultation on offshore wind auction revamp
The consultation (15 pages / 284KB PDF), which opened for submissions on 28 August, seeks stakeholder views on Ireland’s proposed approach for implementing changes required by the EU’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) in line with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1176.
Ireland plans to fast-track critical infrastructure
The Critical Infrastructure Bill will require public bodies to do everything in their power to accelerate approval of projects designated as essential by the government. - with experts saying the proposed legislation would bring greater certainty and predictability to developing infrastructure projects in the republic.
Ireland to introduce private wires legislation
The new bill will enable projects such as wind farms to connect directly to individual customers and share grid connections. Private wires - dedicated connections between different locations that do not use public electricity infrastructure – are seen as a way of the country’s national grid network being able to expand and support greater levels of renewable energy and increased demand for electricity.
New Irish data centres must generate power back into national grid, rules regulator
Ireland’s Commission for Regulation of Utilities has published its final decision (PDF, 134pages/1.7mb) into how large energy users will be connected into the country’s national grid system. It follows a consultation on the proposals when they were first published earlier this year.
European Commission clarifies low-carbon hydrogen methodology in delegated act
The delegated act, which was adopted in July, supplements the 2024 Hydrogen and Gas Market Directive by establishing a harmonised framework for calculating GHG emissions savings from low-carbon hydrogen. This complements existing methodologies for renewable hydrogen and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), completing the EU’s regulatory architecture for hydrogen-based energy.
Ireland’s renewable heat obligation can fuel its biomethane sector
With industry waiting for details of the RHO to be published, we highlight how Irish policymakers can learn from the experience of other markets in designing biomethane support schemes to help promote growth of biomethane production and use in Ireland. Broadly, the RHO is expected to oblige suppliers of fossil fuels used for heat to ensure that a proportion of the energy they supply is renewable. The RHO will be key for Ireland’s biogas industry and achieving ambitious climate targets.
Irish Programme for Government sends positive signals to construction sector
Catherine Burns, construction specialist, and Garrett Monaghan, energy and infrastructure expert, of Pinsent Masons were commenting following the release of the document. The draft, titled Securing Ireland’s Future (162 pages/1.1MB), was published on 15 January following talks between two political parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, which have now entered into a coalition agreement.
Power purchase agreements can help data centre sustainability goals
Data centres are large energy users (LEUs) housing servers which store vast amounts of data and must run continuously to ensure the availability and reliability of services like cloud computing, streaming and social media. To prevent overheating and maintain optimal performance, data centres use extensive cooling systems, which can accrue a lot of energy consumption.
Irish firms must work to understand ESG obligations under AI Act
Given Ireland’s very considerable, and growing, renewables and tech sectors, Ireland has a unique perspective in this new and critically important intersection between AI and ESG. As AI and ESG continue to impact businesses in Ireland, it is essential that board members and executives understand the implications and business potential of both.
New Irish legislation to facilitate growing needs of vessels in offshore energy projects
The proposed changes are set out in the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Accidents) Bill, which is currently at the third stage before Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament. To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, Ireland must significantly expand its renewable energy sources, with a focus on offshore wind power. Numerous companies are planning to establish wind farms along Ireland’s coastline.
Ireland’s electricity storage policy vital to clean energy drive
The policy will drive action by government and regulators – including the priority procurement of approximately 500MW of ‘long duration’ systems for the transmission grid and approximately 500MW demand flexibility solutions for the distribution grid – and sends a signal to developers and funders that Ireland will be a business-friendly growth market for electricity storage.
Irish manufacturers get help towards decarbonising
On 23 June, Peter Burke, Ireland’s minister for enterprise, trade and employment, announced a €300 million fund aimed at reducing industrial emissions in Ireland. This funding will be administered by Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland to support companies in their efforts to decrease emissions by 2030 through the environmental aid scheme.
Ireland’s private wires guiding principles indicates potential policy direction
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Ireland’s biomethane strategy to help decarbonise energy generation
The Irish government’s Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) published the National Biomethane Strategy (51 pages / 676 KB) – a series of measures designed to underpin its ambition of producing 5.76TWh of biomethane in Ireland by 2030, and production of up to 1TWh of biomethane by 2025. Biogas is typically produced through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of biological feedstocks.
SRESS phase two ‘provides easier route to market’ for renewable energy installation
The Irish government has launched the second stage of the small-scale renewable electricity support scheme (SRESS) in a bid to continue providing a route to market for businesses and non-domestic renewables self-consumers. The new phase follows the first stage of SRESS which launched in July 2023. Phase one is limited to renewable self-consumers above 50kW and up to 1 megawatt (MW) and consists of capital grants for solar installations only.
Second European Hydrogen Bank auction underway with revised T&Cs
Seven bidders across four European countries have emerged as winners through a competitive bidding process and will be awarded a total of €720 million under the European Hydrogen Bank initiative. Collectively, these projects are expected to produce 1.58 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen over ten years, avoiding more than 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Gaming sector presents data and energy challenges for data centre operators
Demand for data processing and storage from the Irish and global gaming sectors will increase rapidly as the interactive nature of its technology evolves, but there are challenges to meet its storage needs given their well-reported power demands and tightened regulatory framework around data centres in the EU. In December 2023, the European Commission initiated a process which ultimately will lead to the establishment of an EU-wide scheme for rating the sustainability of data centres.
Ireland’s offshore wind industrial strategy highlights its sector-leading potential
Released by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, ‘Powering Prosperity – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Industrial Strategy’ (102-page / 3713KB PDF) seeks to make the most of the 420,000 square kilometre exclusive economic zone extending 320 kilometres off the Irish coast. Focusing on actions to be taken in 2024 and 2025, the strategy covers 40 actions across four core areas which aim to maximise the economic benefit of Ireland achieving its offshore renewable targets.
Biomethane strategy to help Ireland decarbonise and become less import-dependent
Biomethane is biogas that has been upgraded and which is capable of injection and use in the national gas grid. Biogas refers to gas produced at source at an anaerobic digestion (AD) plant. A consultation on a new draft biomethane strategy was opened by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) on 30 January for a period of four weeks and closes on 27 February.
Ireland’s climate action plan 2024 - a welcome step but delivery issues remain
CAP 24 is the third iteration of Ireland’s annual update regarding climate related policies and strategies. Ireland’s climate governance and reporting framework is informed and guided by the obligations and requirements set out in related EU legislation and regulations, including the European Green Deal, the European climate law 2020, and the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan. The targets set out in CAP 2024 remain largely the same as under the 2023 plan.
Consultation opens on Ireland’s offshore renewable energy policy
The consultation on the proposed framework policy statement for the post-2030 Irish offshore renewable energy (ORE) sector is, on face value, a significant market signal and step up in commitment and clarity compared to previous ORE development statements in 2021 and 2023, with clear action items and timelines.
Biomethane production can help Ireland reach its net zero targets
Unlike other renewable gases, where further development in production and scale up technology is needed, biomethane can be used in Ireland with very little modification required to national pipeline networks and related industrial and residential applications. The emergence of hydrogen as a vital net zero tool cannot be overlooked as it gains credibility and confidence in its production and uses. However, biomethane is a far more immediate and scalable renewable gas.
UK and Ireland strengthen energy cooperation with new agreements
The UK and Ireland have signed two memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to boost cooperation in the development of offshore renewable energy, explore expanded electricity interconnection opportunities, and bolster the security of gas supply.
EU publishes terms ahead of landmark renewable hydrogen pilot auction
The pilot auction, set to commence on 23 November, follows a series of stakeholder consultations initiated in March. The release of the T&Cs provides potential bidders with advanced insight into the final economic structure of the auction, facilitating their preparations to participate.
Offshore wind central to Ireland’s renewable hydrogen ambitions
Garrett Monaghan and Susan Kinlan of Pinsent Masons were commenting after the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) published Ireland’s national hydrogen strategy on 12 July. The purpose of the strategy, published following consultation with industry and other stakeholders last year, is to develop a hydrogen sector and in turn “deliver decarbonisation in the energy sector and enhance energy security”, the DECC said.
REPowerEU plan is good for Ireland's renewable ambitions
generation and supply of green hydrogen from Ireland to Germany. German appetite for green hydrogen will be a fundamental pillar for development of Irish offshore wind post the initial target of 5GW by 2030. Current Irish offshore wind policy includes, after 2030 delivery, an additional 2GW of offshore wind for the production of green hydrogen. In March, the Commission launched the European Hydrogen Bank (EHB), an EU public support measure to kickstart the hydrogen economy.
Pinsent Masons advises VIOTAS founders on Bord na Móna management buyout
VIOTAS is headquartered in Limerick, Ireland and operates in Ireland, Poland, USA, Australia and New Zealand. The company helps large businesses generate additional revenue and achieve their sustainability goals through smart electricity management and demand response services. Bord na Móna is an Irish, semi-state climate solutions company and first invested in VIOTAS in 2016 as part of a strategic commitment to support rising green innovators and businesses pioneering climate action solutions.
EU adopts regulation to fast track permits for renewable energy projects
The new regulation (28-page / 367KB PDF) lays down a temporary framework to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects and introduces faster permitting processes for suitable projects that can be rolled out quickly and have the least impact on the environment. The rules set maximum deadlines for granting permits for solar energy equipment, upgrading renewable power plants and the deployment of heat pumps.
REPowerEU package provisionally agreed
Among other things, the REPowerEU plan promotes an increase in renewable energy generation in the EU and seeks to make it easier for developers to pass through planning and permitting stages of a project to deliver new energy infrastructure, that is connected to electricity grids, faster.
REPowerEU plan charts course for energy transition and reduced Russian dependency
The REPowerEU plan now published advances the direction set in the strategy with concrete proposals to diversify the EU’s energy supplies and phase out Russian energy from Europe before 2030. Further measures, such as new legislation to require the diversification of gas supply in EU member states over time, are also under consideration.
Ireland to boost electric vehicle infrastructure amidst grid pressures
The government said the pace at which electric vehicles are being adopted in Ireland has been accelerating in recent years, with electric vehicles already accounting for one in five new car sales in the country. The government is planning for one million electric vehicles to be on Ireland’s roads by 2030.
Making an application under Ireland's Renewable Energy Support Scheme 2
Applications are now open for projects planning to bid for the second of Ireland’s Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) auctions. The qualification application date window opened on 7 December 2021 and will close on 13 January 2022, with the auction set to take place in May 2022, according to the timetable published in October (3 page / 213 KB PDF). RESS is a support scheme aimed at incentivising and increasing the supply of power to Ireland’s electricity grid from renewable energy sources.
Ireland tightens regulation of data centre grid connections
More data centres are likely to be developed in rural Ireland and with their own on-site power supply after a regulator intervened to tighten conditions on data centre connections to the country’s electricity grid, according to an expert. The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) said it is concerned that “continuing to allow data centres to connect to the electricity network in accordance with current arrangements” would present a risk to the security of electricity supply in Ireland.
Irish government consults over terms and conditions for offshore wind auctions
Onshore auctions under RESS, which provides support to renewable electricity projects in Ireland, require all projects to pre-qualify for participation by providing evidence of full planning permission. However, this will not be an eligibility criterion for participation in ORESS 1 due to the fact that the offshore wind sector is still developing and the legislation to facilitate offshore development consent is not yet enacted.
Ireland’s ‘Housing for All’ plan: funding and delivery
The Irish government has announced Ireland’s largest-ever housing budget as part of its housing plan to 2030. Its ‘Housing for All’ plan estimates that 33,000 additional homes need to be constructed each year until 2030 to meet the targets outlined in the National Planning Framework. Building these new homes will cost an estimated €12 billion annually, and the plan presents a number of new opportunities for investors.
RESS: community benefit
In Ireland and elsewhere, renewables development has frequently drawn criticism for insufficient local and community-based sharing of revenues. Under the rules of Ireland’s first Renewable Electricity Support Scheme auction (RESS 1), successful bidders are obliged to set up and contribute to a community benefit fund. The principal purpose of the fund is to provide funds for the benefit of the community in the area where RESS 1 projects are situated.
Irish court overturns windfarm permission following challenge
Mr Justice Humphreys upheld a challenge taken against An Bord Pleanála’s (the Board) decision to grant planning permission to Bord na Móna PowerGen Ltd, a subsidiary of Bord na Móna, for the proposed development, at a former peat production bog near Lanesborough in County Longford. The judgment has made a big impression within the energy industry, with particular concerns raised regarding the potential implications of the decision for onshore windfarm developments.
Ireland commits to climate resilience with new Bill
In common with recent EU announcements on the Green Deal, the Bill reflects a bullish intention to step up the remit and pace of delivery on decarbonisation of the Irish economy. "We are firmly moving into an era of green compulsion rather than momentum," said Dublin-based energy law expert Garrett Monaghan of Pinsent Masons, the law firm behind Out-Law.
Overhauling Ireland's marine planning and consenting regime
The publication of the draft MPSS and related legislation is a necessary and strong demonstration of intent by the Irish Government to facilitate and optimise the development of Ireland's foreshore and maritime assets. Putting in place of a robust offshore consenting regime is a critical first step (of several) to seed developer and investor confidence in the Government's willingness to deliver on the considerable ambition set out in its July 2019 Climate Action Plan.
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