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Ireland

 

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Current Situation
Although renewable energy resources are abundantly available in Ireland, only a fraction of these resources have been tapped so far. Today, renewable energy sources meet about 2% of Ireland’s total energy consumption. This figure breaks down in roughly equal proportions to heat from wood fuel in the domestic and wood processing sectors and electricity production from hydropower.

In absolute terms, renewable energy doubled (from 224 ktoe to 443 ktoe) between 2003 and 2007 (19% annual average growth), largely due to the increasing contribution from wind energy. The share of electricity from renewable energy has nearly doubled between 1990 and 2007 from 4.9% to 9.4%. Most of this increase took place in the past seven years, since 2000.

Total electrical output from wind in 2007 was 1,958 GWh, representing an increase of 21% on 2006. The total installed capacity reached 915 MW by September 2008 and there is 892 MW of planned wind capacity with grid connection contracts and target connection dates between October 2008 and December 2012.

Renewable thermal energy grew from 108 ktoe to 184 ktoe between 1990 and 2007 and represented 3.4% of thermal energy use in 2007.

Perspectives
Renewable energy constitutes a core element of the Government’s overarching energy policy and there are some Policy Drivers like:
 Energy White Paper. (2007).
 National Climate Change Strategy. 2007-2012.
 National Development Plan 2007-2013.

In the Government White Paper “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” we can find The Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020. The White Paper Forecasts assume that renewable energy in 2020 will account for 33% of electricity, 12% of thermal energy and 10% of non-aviation transport energy. However total renewable energy will account for 13% of total final energy consumption, compared with the proposed EU target for Ireland which is 16%.

At least €270 million will be invested under the National Development Plan 2007-2013 through Sustainable Energy Programmes and Schemes. Other Policy Initiatives are Renewable Energy Development Group, Bioenergy Action Plan for Ireland, the Irish Energy Research Council or the launch of the Ocean Energy Strategy, which is an important landmark for the development of ocean energy in Ireland and places Ireland in a unique position worldwide by providing a definitive action plan to develop this important natural resource.

Key players
The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources is responsible for renewable energy policy. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is the independent body responsible for overseeing the liberalisation of Ireland’s energy sector. It has a role in promoting the use of renewable and sustainable forms of energy.

Other agencies and bodies with functions in this area include the Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI). The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) was founded in May 1999. It has been formed to promote the bioenergy industry and to develop this important sector. IWEA is the national association for the wind industry in Ireland.

Job Demand
Another strategic goal is Creating Jobs, Growth and Innovation in the Energy Sector. The Irish energy sector directly employs over 12,000 people. It is the Government’s view that delivery on the policy directives and targets set out in this energy policy framework to 2020 in support of sustainability and competitiveness will create increased employment and growth within the energy sector itself, as well as in related sectors including agriculture, forestry, construction, engineering, information technology and the financial and legal services.

Ireland already has a buoyant market in the supply of equipment and services to the energy sector, which is already expanding in response to initiatives taken in recent years. Further expansion is forecasted as the market-driven opportunities are realised by both foreign and indigenous energy enterprises.

There is considerable potential for economic growth and job creation in the efficient energy area, as well as in renewable energy technology, bioenergy supply and demand. Renewable and bioenergy will provide rural and regional employment and economic activity. Opportunities for technical and engineering services in renewables, energy efficiency, CHP heating and Demand Side Management are just some of the key possibilities.