Joint gas and electricity emergency training exercises to be held, as part of ongoing and prudent contingency planning

In line with prudent and ongoing contingency planning, joint gas and electricity emergency training exercises will be held on 9 and 16 September. The purpose of these exercises is to test a coordinated response, from numerous stakeholders, to a hypothetical and unlikely disruption to Ireland’s gas or electricity supplies.

Emergency training exercises have been ongoing over many years, as part of regular and routine contingency planning. The exercises form part of regularly-tested and well-established emergency plans. The running of such exercises is in compliance with EU legislation on security of energy supply and also forms a key part of Ireland’s preparedness for potential disruptions to gas or electricity supplies, however unlikely or remote the possibility of such disruptions may be. During these exercises, various hypothetical scenarios are considered and responses are stress-tested.

These emergency exercises, as before, will involve key stakeholders in the energy sector, including Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, ESB Networks, and the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). This year, a joint exercise will involve bodies from both the gas and electricity sectors – reflecting a broadening of the scenarios under consideration.

Gas Networks Ireland is the lead body on gas-related exercises; EirGrid is the lead body on electricity-related exercises. The CRU oversees the overarching emergency plans, and works in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Gas Networks Ireland and EirGrid have robust procedures in place to maintain security of gas and electricity supplies, and regularly participate in simulation exercises to test a range of potential scenarios. The role played by these bodies is critical, in ensuring a coordinated response to major incidents, in the rare event that they might occur.

While a significant disruption to energy supplies is unlikely, any such event has the potential to have an impact across multiple sectors and, as such, the established Strategic Emergency Management (SEM) Framework structures for dealing with a major emergency would ensure a 'whole of government' response, if such circumstances arose. In such circumstances, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications would become the lead government department and would convene and chair the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) in the National Energy Coordination Centre (NECC) – to coordinate the government’s response to the energy emergency.

ENDS

A statement was issued by Minister Ryan on 30 August, in which the Minister addressed energy security, energy prices and supports – particularly for vulnerable households.

CRU Programme of Actions – to safeguard electricity supply this winter and over the coming winters

The CRU (Commission for Regulation of Utilities), which has statutory responsibility to ensure security of electricity supply, currently has a programme of actions underway to ensure the security of our electricity supply over the coming winters.

This programme of actions contains a number of both demand and supply-side mitigation measures – to address any potential shortfall. The actions include: procurement of new, enduring capacity through a number of capacity auctions; procuring additional temporary generation; extending the availability of existing generation capacity; and improved demand-side measures.

Margins will remain tight during this coming winter period (2022/2023). The CRU is continuing to work with key stakeholders to implement additional appropriate (demand-side) mitigation measures – to further reduce risks during this winter and lower peak demand during this period.

National Energy Security Framework

The National Energy Security Framework (NESF), which was approved by Government and published in April 2022, sets out Ireland’s response to our energy security needs (in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine) and our specific national circumstances.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has established an Energy Security Emergency Group (chaired by the Secretary General), as set out in the National Energy Security Framework. This group coordinates and oversees activity and responses – at a national level – in relation to the impact of the Russian war in Ukraine on energy security. The group includes representatives from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Gas Networks Ireland, EirGrid, the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) and the SEAI.

The work of the group includes:

• overseeing implementation of the National Energy Security Framework, which has set out our national response to the impacts (of the Russian war in Ukraine) on the energy sector
• coordinating a response to support consumers and businesses (with a focus on financially vulnerable households and those in or at risk of energy poverty)
• ensuring emergency plans are up-to-date and stress-tested

Role of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (the CRU) has statutory responsibility to ensure security of electricity supply. It has a duty to monitor electricity supplies and to take measures as it considers necessary to protect security of supply.

Role of EirGrid and ESB Networks

The CRU is assisted in its statutory role by EirGrid, which is required to report to the CRU (with regard to security of electricity supply matters).

EirGrid is responsible for the day-to-day management of the electricity system (grid), in its role as the Transmission System Operator (TSO).

EirGrid works closely with ESB Networks – the Distribution System Operator (DSO) – in managing the flows of electricity throughout the whole grid.

Role of Gas Networks Ireland

Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s distribution and transmission national gas network and is responsible for safely and securely transporting gas to over 710,000 homes and businesses across the country.