This webinar will provide an overview of the current development opportunities and challenges in relation to electricity and other networks and will highlight the critical role that the electricity network plays in the context of Ireland’s Climate Action Plan. It will also summarise the key role that can be played by the planning process, particularly at regional and city and county development plan level, in ensuring Ireland meets its current resilience and sustainability energy supply challenges.

The presentations will be delivered by Paul O’Neill, Principal Officer, Planning Advisory Division with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), John Melvin, Director of Security of Supply and Wholesale with the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and Stephanie Byrne, Planning Officer, Plans Evaluation with the Office of the Planning Regulator (OPR). The three presentations will focus on:

• Planning for energy- Awareness of the climate action and energy policy context ;
• Delivering energy projects- Wider regulatory context and risks;
• Energy and development plans- Emerging good practice.

The aim of the webinar is to provide elected members with:

• Practical information as to the current development and longer-term planning of Ireland’s energy supply systems; and
• An overview of ways to better co-ordinate energy supply systems within the context of the operation of the planning process.