National Policy Drivers
Over the past two decades Ireland’s energy policy, as a member of the EU and IEA “clubs”, has been driven by three primary objectives:
- Security of supply
- Environmental protection
- Cost competitiveness
The expression of Irish policy objectives as concrete policy instruments and choices has been conditioned by our status as an island, until recently isolated in energy infrastructure terms from mainland Europe, our non-nuclear policy position, and set against a mix of indigenous fossil fuel resources in the form of peat and natural gas at a level which still entails a high rate of import dependency.
Energy White Paper
Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. Minister for Communications Marine and Natural Resources published an Energy White Paper entitled “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland” on 12th March 2007. The White Paper describes the actions and target for the energy policy framework out to 2020, to support economic growth and meet the needs of all consumers. The Paper sets a clear path for meeting the Government’s goals of ensuring safe and secure energy supplies, promoting a sustainable energy future, and supporting competitiveness. Energy White Paper: “Delivering a Sustainable Energy Future for Ireland ” The principal targets related to SEAI’s areas of focus are depicted in Table 1
Table 1: White Paper targets 2010 and 2020:
| | 2010 | 2020 target |
| | | |
| RES-E | 15% | 33% |
| Ocean | | 500MW |
| | | |
| RES-H | 5% | 12% |
| | | |
| Biofuels | 5.75% | 10% |
| | | |
| EE | | 20% |
| EE Public Sector | | 33% |
| EE Indicative | | 30% |
| | | |
| CHP | 400MW | 800MW |
| | | |
| Transport | 130gCO2/KM (2012) | |
| | | |
The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012
Under the Kyoto Protocol Ireland agreed to a target of limiting its greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels by the first commitment period 2008-2012 as part of its contribution to the overall EU target. Ireland ratified the Kyoto Protocol on the 31 May 2002, along with the EU and all other Member States, and is internationally legally bound to meet the challenging greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. To ensure Ireland reaches its target under the Kyoto Protocol and, building on measures put in place following the publication of the first National Climate Change Strategy in 2000, the Government has published a new The National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012. National Climate Change Strategy 2007-2012:
Bioenergy Action plan
The Bioenergy Action Plan, published on 4th March 2007, sets out an integrated strategy for collective delivery of the potential benefits of bioenergy resources across the agriculture, enterprise, transport, environment and energy sectors. It will require sustained multi-agency collaboration, at national, regional and local level, working in strategic alliances to ensure that we realise this potential. It is a key component of the Government’s objectives under the Energy Policy Framework 2007 - 2020.
http://www.dcmnr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/6D4AF07E-874D-4DB5-A2C5-63E10F9753EB/27345/BioenergyActionPlan.pdf
Renewable Energy Development Group (REDG)
The Renewable Energy Development Group, chaired by the Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources was established in May 2004 to consider the future options on policies, targets, programmes and support measures to develop the increased use of renewable energy in the electricity market to 2010 and beyond.
The documents released under the REDG are:
