Energy in Ireland
[4] CO2 emissions:33.74 million tons Ireland had a plan to reduce by 30% its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 2005.
This was improved, with a new target aiming for Ireland to achieve a 7% annual average reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 2021 and 2030.
Since the Corrib gas field came on stream in 2016, Ireland reduced its energy import dependency from 88% in 2015 to 69% in 2016.
Approximately 70% of the size of the Kinsale Head field, it has an estimated producing life of just over 15 years.
[11]Since 1991 Ireland has imported natural gas by pipeline from the British National Transmission System in Scotland.
[11]Ireland uses peat, a fuel composed of decayed plants and other organic matter which is usually found in swampy lowlands known as bogs, as energy which is not common in Europe.
Peat in Ireland is used for two main purposes – to generate electricity and as a fuel for domestic heating.
Bord na Móna is a commercial semi-state company that was established under the Turf Development Act 1946.
[12] The West Offaly Power Station was refused permission to continue burning peat for electricity and closed in December 2020.
In order to improve air quality, certain areas are banned from burning so-called 'smoky coal.'
The regulations and policy relating to smoky fuel are dealt with by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
The station was originally built in the 1980s as part of a fuel diversity strategy and was significantly refurbished during the 2000s to make it fit for purpose in terms of environmental regulations and standards.
A University College Cork satellite survey identified 1 million homes with a suitable orientation to suit 10 roof panels.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have responsibility for the Forest Service and forestry policy in Ireland.
Coillte (a commercial state company operating in forestry, land based businesses, renewable energy and panel products) and Coford (the Council for Forest Research and Development) also fall under that Department's remit.
[28] In 2016, Ireland and France agreed to advance the planning of the Celtic Interconnector, which if realized will provide the two countries with a 700 MW transmission capacity by 2025.
[29] The utility ESB operates a pumped storage station in Co. Wicklow called Turlough Hill with 292 MW peak power capacity.
[30] A Compressed air energy storage project in salt caverns near Larne received €15m of funding from EU.
[33] ESB has developed a battery facility on the site of its Aghada gas-fired power station in Co. Cork.
[39] The largest energy store in Ireland is the coal reserve for Moneypoint power station.
[45] The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) estimated costs between €2 and €3 a week per household:[46] a survey from the Central Statistics Office reports that Ireland's average disposable income was almost €48,000 in 2007.
[51] They claim that other countries have shown that carbon taxation succeeds only if it is part of a comprehensive package that includes reducing other taxes.
SEAI's mission is to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices.
[56][57] A ‘Eurobarometer’ survey in 2007 indicated that 27 percent of the citizens of Ireland were in favour of an “increased use” of nuclear energy.
[58] As of 2014, a Generation IV nuclear station was envisaged in competition with a biomass burning facility to succeed Ireland's single largest source of greenhouse gases, the coal burning Moneypoint power station, when it retires, c.
