108. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment the measures his Department is taking to support the development of demand-side flexibility within Ireland’s electricity system; the role he expects demand-side response to play in achieving national electricity system and renewable energy targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60266/26]

The Government recognises that demand-side flexibility will be a critical enabler of Ireland's transition to a secure, affordable and renewable-led electricity system. In addition to increasing renewable electricity generation, it is necessary to ensure that electricity demand can respond more dynamically to system conditions and the availability of renewable energy.

A key initiative in this regard is the National Energy Demand Strategy (NEDS), published by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities in 2024. The NEDS sets out a coordinated programme of actions to increase demand flexibility across households, businesses and large energy users, with a focus on smart services, demand flexibility and response, and new demand connections. It aims to encourage consumers to shift electricity consumption to periods when renewable generation is plentiful, thereby reducing emissions, improving security of supply and lowering overall system costs.

My Department is also supporting a range of complementary demand-side response measures, including the rollout of smart meters, the development of time-of-use and dynamic tariffs, the promotion of smart electric vehicle charging, the expansion of flexibility and balancing services, and policies to support energy storage and active consumer participation in electricity markets. These initiatives are intended to empower consumers to manage their energy use more efficiently and maximise the use of renewable electricity.

In addition, the recently established National Energy Affordability Taskforce is examining structural reforms to improve energy affordability while supporting Ireland's climate and energy objectives. This includes consideration of demand-side solutions that can help households and businesses reduce costs by shifting consumption to periods of lower-priced renewable generation.

Demand-side response is expected to play a central role in achieving Ireland's climate and renewable energy targets by facilitating greater integration of variable renewable generation, reducing peak demand pressures, enhancing security of supply, and supporting the efficient operation of the electricity system as electrification increases across transport, heat and industry sectors.