Energy security concerns – Government responds with a new Policy Statement

The challenges facing Ireland’s energy supply can be summarised in four key points:  (1) lower than expected availability from some existing power stations;  (2) anticipated new power stations not being developed as planned;  (3) expected growth in electricity demand, including from data centres; and  (4) expected closure of some power stations in the coming years…

Wind energy: Why is Ireland not fulfilling its potential?

With the conclusion of Cop26 in Glasgow, focus switches to how countries can quickly start delivering on commitments to reduce emissions over the coming decade. A report published earlier this year by a team of energy researchers at University College Cork highlights how Ireland’s ongoing energy transformation – which is necessary to meet our decarbonisation requirements for 2050…

EU ministers debate how to tackle rising energy costs

The wave of price hikes is not set to abate before next spring, and ministers discussed a set of short-term measures that have been put forward by the European Commission to help consumers and businesses weather the shock. The main reason behind the sharp spike is increased global demand for energy, and gas in particular.…

Ireland’s offshore wind energy ambitions are starting to take off

Ireland already has the highest share of onshore wind in its electricity mix of any country in Europe – 38%. But it wants to get 70% of its electricity from renewables by 2030. To deliver that the Government wants to add a further 4GW of onshore wind capacity by then – and build 5 GW…

SEAI publishes Ireland’s 2020 National Energy Balance

Highlights Energy Related CO2 emissions 11.5% lower in 2020 Most significant emissions reduction since 2009 recession and is largely due to COVID-19 impacts Total energy consumption down by almost 9%, largely due to reductions in transport use Energy related CO2 emissions fell by 11.5% (4.3 million tonnes) in 2020, which is the most significant annual…

Work on €50m energy project at Moneypoint to begin within weeks

Work on a new state-of-the-art energy stabiliser will begin in Moneypoint Generating Station in the coming weeks. The €50m synchronous compensator is a key aspect of the ESB’s multi-billion Euro Green Atlantic development. The new compensator will be the first in the country and will incorporate the world’s largest flywheel used for grid stability. Due…