Energy
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPORT SCHEME
RESS 3 Auction
The Terms and Conditions and Timetable for RESS 3 are now available, with the qualification process opening on 30 May 2023. We look at some of the main features of RESS 3 here.
ORESS 1 Auction
Version 1.2 of ORESS 1 Terms and Conditions is available here.
EU
Cross-Border Renewable Energy Support
The Energy Union Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 established a renewable energy financing mechanism whereby the Commission coordinates contributing and hosting countries to roll-out renewable energy. A first tender has been developed, intended to support rapid development of large-scale solar PV projects in Finland, giving Luxembourg access to renewable capacity beyond its territory.
Permit-Granting Process
EU law already requires designation of a contact point to guide through and facilitate a two-year permit-granting process for power plants. (In Ireland, the SEAI is designated as the contact point.) REPowerEU amendments seek to further accelerate and streamline the permit-granting process in a variety of ways. WindEurope reports here on a product it is supporting, called EasyPermits, to support digitalisation of the process.
Gas Market Intervention
The AggregateEU mechanism is available for European companies to register their gas purchase needs to prepare for the joint purchasing of gas at EU level (see further here and here). Tenders will be carried out every two months over the next 12 months. Recent figures indicate that gas consumption fell by 17.7% in August 2022-March 2023 compared with the same months between 2017 and 2022.
Project Costs
As required under the TEN-E Regulation, ACER published a set of indicators and reference values for the comparison of unit investment costs for projects in energy infrastructure categories. ENTSO-E has published a draft Cost-Benefit Analysis Methodology 4.0 for assessing transmission and storage projects in the context of the selection process of Projects of Common Interest.
Hydrogen
The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance published a roadmap on standardisation to accelerate deployment of large-scale hydrogen solutions. It identifies six key actions to pursue, such as integrating relevant topics in the standard-setting process at EU level (CEN-CENELEC) and international level (ISO-IEC). It has also published a Learnbook on Hydrogen Supply Corridors.
Batteries
The seventh high-level meeting of the European Battery Alliance recorded key takeaways, including the need for urgent evidence-based actions to ensure that the EU remains a global battery frontrunner as regards innovation, production, circularity, sustainable competitiveness, and investment attractiveness.
Energy Efficiency
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/807 sets the coefficient applicable for 2024 and 2025 when Member States are calculating energy savings.
INTERNAL MARKETS
Electricity
ACER is consulting until 11 May 2023 on TSO proposals for a harmonised cross-zonal capacity allocation methodology for procuring electricity balancing capacity. ACER has also recommended refinements to the Inter-TSO compensation mechanism. ACER is also recommending further improvements to ENTSO-E’s European Resource Adequacy Assessment.
Gas
ENTSOG is consulting until 19 May 2023 on the draft TYNDP for gas.
CRU BUSINESS
Grid
The CRU is consulting on EirGrid’s draft TYNDP until 23 May 2023 (CRU/2023/20). Questions include whether it provides adequate information or raises concerns around delivery capacity, and whether identified network constraints have been adequately addressed.
Electricity Network Stakeholders Engagement Evaluation Panel
Terms of Reference for 2023 and 2024 are not substantially changed. The CRU is continuing to consider expressions of interest from stakeholders (CRU/2023/36).
Gas Pipeline
Consent has been granted for construction of a gas transmission pipeline of approximately 0.6 km in Corduff, in County Dublin (CRU/2023/31).
Petroleum Safety
Version 4.0 of the Petroleum Safety Levy Methodology is available (CRU/2023/05).
DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
Offshore Grid
A new EirGrid office opened in Cork to support offshore grid and interconnector development.
Balancing Market
EirGrid is consulting until 24 May 2022 on amendments to the Balancing Market Principles Statement. Amendments relate to scheduling and dispatch of synchronous condensers on an interim basis, as well as Temporary Emergency Generation, which will not participate in ex-ante markets or capacity auctions. There is also a statement on when Battery ESPS Units are allowed to be dispatched for energy purposes. It is indicated that there are a number of areas in scheduling and dispatch processes that require improvement to support Clean Energy Package compliance and renewables’ targets, and that they are being progressed through the Scheduling and Dispatch Programme. Further information is available here.
Long-term Strategy on Emissions Reductions
DECC published the Long-term Strategy on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions, required by the Energy Union Governance Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. The Strategy reiterates policy set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023, which we looked at here, sectoral emissions ceilings, and other Government policies. It confirms that Ireland is preparing an updated National Energy and Climate Plan for submission to the Commission in draft form by 30 June 2023 to reflect new climate ambitions.
Just Transition
A €169 million fund to support energy transition in the Midlands was launched.
SEMC BUSINESS
Capacity Market
The SEMC is consulting until 31 May 2023 on several proposals to amend the Capacity Market Code (SEM-23-034). They include a proposal to introduce a Remedial Action for Unforeseeable Delays Due to Extraordinary Supply Chain Impacts. The SEMC has concerns about this proposed mechanism and is minded to look at it in the context of ongoing consideration of CMC_14_22.
Trading and Settlement Code
The SEMC is consulting until 24 May 2023 on the proposed scope of the 2022 market audit and the materiality level to be applied (SEM-23-033).
CLIMATE CHANGE FOR LAWYERS
In England and Wales, the Law Society issued guidance on the impact of climate change on solicitors. Part B considers climate related risks in the context of providing client advice.
"EU law already requires designation of a contact point to guide through and facilitate a two-year permit-granting process for power plants."