Energy in Ireland Overview

Ireland's Energy Policy framework is managed by the  ​​Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) , who have set the pathway for a  sustainable national energy system through the creation and adoption of specific energy related policy documents. 

The  White Paper ‘Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland’, which was published in 2007, sets out the Government’s Energy Policy Framework  between 2007-2020 to deliver a sustainable energy future for Ireland. It is set firmly in the global and European sustainable energy context which has put energy security and climate change among the most urgent international challenges. In charting the course for Irish energy policy, the Government is taking full account of global and EU developments.  The paper includes a range of ambitious policies and targets for the energy sector in Ireland such as a committed target of 16% of total energy to come from renewable sources by 2020.

 The Green Paper (published in 2014) which involved a consultation process for interested parties on energy policy in Ireland, was then followed by the next White Paper  (published in 2015) which sets out a new energy policy framework for Ireland that outlines a transition plan to a low carbon energy system by 2050.

As part of Ireland's sustainability road map the country is committed to significant decarbonisation by 2050. The Government agreed the National Policy Position in 2014 that commits to a long-term vision of low-carbon transition that will see reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 80% from electricity generation, the built environment and transport (relative to 1990 levels) by 2050. This approach to carbon neutrality applies also to the agriculture and land use sector, including forestry, as long as it does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production (Government of Ireland, 2014). Ireland is also committed to reaching its Sustainable Development Goals and targets that are set to 2030 and include Sustainable Development Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. To view Ireland's progress on this goal please visit Ireland's Sustainable Development Goal Geohive website. Our progress to Renewable Energy Targets can be found on the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland website.