Policy
Energy
Published on: 12 June 2020
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on: 12 June 2020
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Ireland is an energy importing economy, relying largely on gas and oil imports to meet its energy needs. At the same time, the effects of climate change are causing increasing disruption in our lives. The need to reduce our carbon emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels in all sectors of our society is becoming more urgent. It is the goal of the government to enable Ireland, within EU and global frameworks, to achieve a transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable economy.
By 2030, the government aims to meet the following targets:
This involves striking a balance between developing low carbon and renewable energy sources, ensuring a safe, secure and reliable supply of electricity, and maintaining a competitive and well-regulated energy market.
This transition can also be achieved through increased energy efficiency. The government has put measures and supports in place to enable individuals, communities, businesses and the public sector to achieve this. This also helps to improve energy affordability and reduce energy poverty.
The government's policies, supports, strategies, and plans such as the Climate Action Plan, will help Ireland transition to a more sustainable future.
Electricity makes up almost one fifth of our energy use in Ireland. Our main energy source for this is natural gas. The government is responsible for creating policy relating to the regulation of electricity markets. It is also the government’s goal to achieve a reduction in Ireland’s CO2 emissions. Electricity generation is currently responsible for a quarter of these. The government designs policy and supports schemes to achieve this, which promote renewable energy sources and support Ireland in its goal to reach national and EU renewable energy targets.
Read more about Electricity
Energy in Ireland is generated from a number of different sources, both domestic and imported. Almost one third of our overall energy needs, and over half of our electricity, comes from natural gas. The government creates policy and legislation allowing for the liberalisation and regulation of the gas market in Ireland. It is also responsible for reviewing the potential and criteria for using more renewable sources of gas to achieve a reduction in Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions.
Ireland’s gas networks are owned and operated by the State body, Gas Networks Ireland. The independent body, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) is responsible for the economic regulation of the network, gas safety and implementing measures for protecting security of supply.
Read more about Gas
One fifth of Ireland’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from transport. The government is working on decarbonising the transport sector, moving away from dependence on fossil fuels as an energy source. Government policy is focused on promoting and providing support for lower carbon technologies and more renewable sources of energy. This goal is also reflected in many of the actions outlined in the Climate Action Plan.
Read more about Transport Energy
Almost 10% of our overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from the residential sector. The government’s policies, strategies and supports are aimed at reducing these emissions and achieving greater energy efficiency in Ireland’s homes. There is also a focus on reducing the risk of energy poverty, assisting households who cannot afford to meet their energy needs. The government’s work is achieved through cross-departmental initiatives and also via schemes which are carried out by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Read more about Residential Energy Efficiency
There is great potential for lowering Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency and reducing fossil fuel dependence across business and the public sector. The government designs policy and strategies to achieve greater energy efficiency and commits to actions such as those outlined in the Climate Action Plan. It also funds and supports schemes which promote improved energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy sources.
Read more about Business and Public Sector Energy
The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive requires Ireland to meet 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. In order to achieve this objective, Ireland set a target of 12% renewable energy in the heat sector by 2030. In 2018, 6.5% of the energy used in the heat sector was renewable.
Read more about Renewable Heat