ESB

Lobbying Organisation ESB

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Range of engagements regarding use of hybrid connections for embedded generation, which involves combining offshore wind with existing thermal generation stations, to accelerate the delivery of offshore wind to meet Programme for Government targets of 5,000MW by 2030. Engagements include submission of a proposal on items to consider in relation to the MAP Bill, & separate engagements in relation to a proposal for DECC to engage with CRU/EirGrid, emphasising the criticality of the approach.

Intended results Seek support for proposals that would facilitate inclusion of hybrid connections for offshore generation projects as ‘relevant projects’ (or progress in an equivalent manner) in order to accelerate delivery of offshore wind targets, including engagement by DECC with CRU/EirGrid to enable these connections to compete in RESS 1 Auction with a view to delivering a more competitive auctioning process with greater potential to hit the ambitious 5GW by 2030 target at a lower cost to the customer

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Pat O’Doherty, CEO, ESB; Nicholas Tarrant Executive Director Engineering & Major Projects, ESB; Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Generation & Trading, ESB • Peter O’Shea, Head of Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, ESB; Padraig O’Hiceadha, Strategy & IT Manager, Generation & Trading, ESB; Seán Murphy, Public Affairs Manager, ESB

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Virtual Meeting (11-20)

Engagements include: • Referenced in a virtual meeting involving Pat O’Doherty, Nicholas Tarrant, Seán Murphy with Minister Ryan, Paul Kenny SPAD, Claire Byrne Cllr Dublin City Council and others on 3/3/2021 • Letter 23/4/2021 from Jim Dollard to Martin Finucane PO • Virtual meeting involving Padraig O’Hiceadha / Seán Murphy with Senator Mary Fitzpatrick on 21/1/2021 • Engagements by Seán Murphy with Steven Matthews TD including virtual meeting on 15/1/2021; call on 9/2/2021; text on 17/2/2021 • 2-5 calls and related email on 9/2/2021 with Chair and members of the Oireachtas Committee on Housing by Seán Murphy • Virtual Meeting on 30/4/2021 between Seán Murphy and Brian Leddin TD • 6-10 calls with Paul Kenny Special Advisor starting 15/1/2021 and including presentation on 15/4/2021 • Skype meeting on 29/1/2021 involving Peter O’Shea / Seán Murphy with Seán Kelly MEP & related email from Seán Murphy on same date • Skype meeting on 2/2/2021 of P O’Shea / S Murphy with Ciaran Cuffe

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Paul Kenny Special Adviser (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Claire Byrne Councillor (Dublin City Council)

Mary Fitzpatrick Senator (Seanad)

Steven Matthews TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Ciaran Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)