Energy Efficiency

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

Ireland's second National Energy Efficiency Action Plan to 2020 waslaunched on 28 February 2013. The second Action Plan provides a progress report on delivery of the national energy savings targets implemented under current EU requirements, as well as energy efficiency policy priorities between now and 2020. The second Action Plan reaffirms Ireland’s commitment to a 20% energy savings target in 2020 and a 33% reduction in public sector energy use.

The second Action Plan follows a similar approach to its predecessor, identifying realisable but ambitious actions across six areas: Public Sector, Residential, Business, Transport, Energy Supply, and Cross-Sectoral. It contains 97 actions (the first NEEAP contained 90 actions which have been reviewed, updated and deleted as appropriate).

EU Energy Services Directive - Transposition into Irish law

Regulations to transpose the EU Energy Services Directive into Irish law were made by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in early 2009. The Directive places obligations on Member States in relation to energy efficiency and the activities of energy service providers.

Overall renewables target

ESB

The ESB is to spend €22 billion on energy infrastructure and aims to become a world leader in renewable energy. Amongst the commitments ESB have made in relation to this target is to generate one third of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Read about more sustainability highlights in the ESB’s Sustainability Report 2011.

The Ocean Energy Development Unit

The Ocean Energy Development Unit (OEDU) has been established to implement the Government’s policy decision to accelerate the development of Ocean Energy (Wave and Tidal) in Ireland. The main focus of the programme is on stimulating the development and deployment of Ocean Energy (OE) devices and systems. As such, the emphasis is on industry-led projects for the following types of activities:

Renewable Energy Production in Ireland

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has set new power tariffs to promote renewable energy production in Ireland.

National Renewable Energy Action Plan

In 2007 the EU committed itself to new climate change and energy targets by 2020:

• 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• 20% of the EU’s energy consumption to be from renewable sources
• 20% energy efficiency

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan is Ireland’s response to that commitment. The plan targets three sectors of the energy infrastructure in Ireland ; transport, electricity and heating and sets targets for the share of energy from renewable sources to be consumed by these sectors in 2020. If implemented, the action plan will not only reduce Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions but will go some way towards improving our energy security by reducing Ireland’s reliance on imported fuel sources. Read the First Progress Report (2012) here.

Transport

At present, imported oil fuels Ireland’s transport sector. The Government has introduced the National Biofuel Obligation Scheme. This scheme obliges road transport fuel suppliers to use a certain percentage of biofuel in oil and diesel so that their yearly sales of biofuel equal 4% of total sales of fuel. This amount will be increased over time.

The Government has also set a target of 10% electric vehicles by 2020. It is working with a number of motor manufacturers and with the ESB to develop and support electric car usage in Ireland. ESB Ecar is responsible for rolling out charge points nationwide and for the implementation of the supporting IT systems.  

In March 2010, Ireland’s first on-street charge point was installed in Dublin. The ESB’s goals include:

• Installation of 2000 home charge points;
• Availability of 1500 public charge posts across Ireland, including 30 fast charge points located at 60km intervals on inter-urban routes at service station and roadside cafés to cater for those on longer journeys.

Electricity

The Government’s target is 40% electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020. The Government is also looking to develop an extensive micro-generation network in Ireland. This will enable householders to generate electricity domestically from renewable sources (e.g., photovoltaic cells, ground pumps, and wood chip boilers) and to sell any excess to the national grid.  

Heat

The Government target for renewable heat by 2020 is 12%. A framework for achieving this target is currently being developed with a focus on biomass and geothermal heating.

Energy Labelling

Energy labelling on electrical appliances is now in place.

Renewable Energy for industrial businesses and agriculture sectors

Regulations were published in July 2008 aimed at encouraging the uptake of cleaner and cheaper energy from renewable sources in the industrial business and agricultural sectors by providing exemptions facilities a greater penetration of renewable technologies in these sectors.

Biomass heating in schools

A programme of installing biomass heating in schools and implementation of a generic energy minimisation school design is in place.