Press release
Bruton welcomes International Review of Ireland’s Energy Policies
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton T.D. today (Monday, 15th April 2019) welcomed the launch of the International Energy Agency's (IEA) 2019 Review of Ireland's Energy Policies.
The review acknowledges the significant change and progress made in recent years, noting for example that Ireland now has the third highest share of wind generated electricity among all 30 IEA member countries. The review recommends however, that concrete plans and pathways must be developed in respect of carbon emissions reductions noting that Ireland's energy system is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
Minister Bruton today welcomed the review and its recommendations stating: "The International Energy Agency's review confirms that while recovery has seen some improvement in take up of renewables and in energy efficiency, Ireland has not broken the link between economic growth and prosperity and greenhouse gases. It highlights the major changes Ireland needs to make in how we heat our buildings, on how we move around and how we power our grid.
"The all of government plan will provide the clear targets and the policy roadmap which we need. However, the first challenge is to secure widespread buy-in across our entire community on the vital importance of the journey which we need to go on. This can only be achieved by all sections of our community working together."
Paul Simons, IEA Deputy Executive Director, presented the report to Ireland, stating: "Ireland has become a world leader on system integration of renewables thanks in large part to strong policy and commitment to innovation. Building on this success, we advise the government to urgently implement additional climate measures and monitor their progress to get the country back on track for long-term targets."
Notes to Editors
Ireland is a founding member of the IEA, founded in 1974, which is an agency of the OECD. Today, the IEA is at the heart of global dialogue on energy, providing authoritative analysis through a wide range of publications.
The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies, electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side management and much more. Through its work, the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy in its 30 member countries and beyond.
Approximately every five years, the policies of individual member countries are reviewed in-depth by a team of peers led by the IEA. The process of review by peers not only supports member countries' energy policy development and mutual learning, but it also encourages exchange of international best practice and experience. The previous in-depth review of Ireland's energy policy was carried out by the IEA in 2012.
The Review will be published by the IEA here.