District Heating Steering Group
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From: Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
- Published on: 5 May 2022
- Last updated on: 22 August 2023
The District Heating Steering Group was formed under the Climate Action Plan 2021, as part of the Government’s commitment to further the expansion of district heating in the State. The Steering Group coordinates the rollout of policies and measures to support district heating in Ireland.
The Steering Group will report annually to Government on steps taken to ensure district heating is developed in a structured way, which will include outlining actions taken to support the expansion of district heating and the development of an appropriate legislative basis, to include advice on transposition of EU Directives. The Steering Group will make evidence-based recommendations to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications as to appropriate targets for district heating.
Four key areas of work have been identified:
Regulation
- The Steering Group will make recommendations in relation to the regulatory needs of the Irish market, including the rights of consumers and the rules for operating district heating systems
- The Group will also advise on legislative changes that may be necessary to support the rollout of District Heating in Ireland, in addition to the regulatory requirements of EU legislation (Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001/EU and Energy Efficiency Directive 2018/2002/EU)
Finance
- The Steering Group will examine the costs and optimal funding options, including consideration of the policy and regulation options that might be used for attracting private sector investment for district heating and make recommendations to the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications
Planning and Regulations
- The Steering Group will examine the necessary guidelines under the Planning and Development Act and planning policy development to support district heating. This will include any required standards to ensure a consistent approach to the development of district heating in Ireland
- Consideration will also be given to policy development on building regulations and recommendations for retrofitting existing properties for district heating
Research
- Taking account of the detailed research now available in the National Heat Study, the Group will examine the additional research requirements of the sector. It will make recommendations as to research prioritisation and have an oversight and quality assurance role in research projects
The District Heating Steering Group is chaired by Barry Quinlan, Assistant Secretary in the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with responsibility for Energy.
The following organisations are members:
- Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC)
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH)
- Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)
- Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)
- National Development Finance Agency
- Dublin City Council
- South Dublin County Council
- Limerick City and County Council
- City of Dublin Energy Management Agency (CoDEMA)
Representatives of other organisations may also be added to the Steering Group by the Chair, as necessary.
District Heating Steering Group Report 2023
The District Heating Steering Group Report which was approved by Cabinet on 11 July 2023, is the culmination of the Steering Group’s work over the past 18 months. The Steering Group recommendations set the foundation for the development of district heating in Ireland.
