Energy Security in Ireland to 2030

Energy Security in Ireland to 2030 outlines a new strategy to ensure energy security in Ireland for this decade, while ensuring a sustainable transition to a carbon neutral energy system by 2050. This report is being published as part of an Energy Security Package, containing a range of supplementary analyses, consultations, and reviews, which have informed the recommendations and actions related to energy security.

Informed by the Government’s energy security policy objectives - to ensure energy is affordable, sustainable, and secure - the review considered the risks to oil, natural gas, and electricity. The report sets out that Ireland’s future energy will be secure by moving from an oil- and gas-based energy system to an electricity-led system, maximising our renewable energy potential, flexibility and being integrated into Europe’s energy systems. Meeting our climate, renewable, and energy efficiency targets through actions and measures set out in the annually updated Climate Action Plan will deliver this secure energy future.

As we transition, the Energy Security Package states that we must ensure energy security is prioritised, monitored, and reviewed regularly, and includes a range of measures to implement this approach in the short and medium term by prioritising:

• Reduced and Responsive Demand
• A Renewables-Led System
• More Resilient Systems
• Robust Risk Governance

Under each of these four areas of actions, the report sets out a range of mitigation measures, including the need for additional capacity of indigenous renewable energy, but also energy imports, energy storage, fuel diversification, demand side response, and renewable gases. The governance structures supporting the energy system, including oversight and accountability reforms, were also examined.

This energy security package sets out a strategic approach to ensure a secure transition for Ireland’s energy systems in line with its climate objectives. It considers lessons, in particular, from the disruption to European energy supplies following the invasion of Ukraine and the domestic capacity shortfall experienced in the electricity sector. Six key pillars of analysis underpin the overall response and recommendations which are presented in Energy Security in Ireland to 2030, including a public consultation, and a range of external reviews and analyses which are published alongside the Energy Security Package below.

A follow-up to the Energy Security Package will be published in 2030, and every five years thereafter, with implementation monitored by the Government’s Energy Security Group.