COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Energy Union Factsheet Ireland Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK Third Report on the State of the Energy Union
Date: 2017-11-23
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Ireland, climate change policy, competitiveness, economic and social cohesion, energy cooperation, energy policy, innovation, investment, regional cooperation, single market

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 23.11.2017 SWD(2017) 398 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Energy Union Factsheet Ireland  Accompanying the document  COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS AND THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK  Third Report on the State of the Energy Union  {COM(2017) 688 final} - {SWD(2017) 384 final} - {SWD(2017) 385 final} - {SWD(2017) 386 final} - {SWD(2017) 387 final} - {SWD(2017) 388 final} - {SWD(2017) 389 final} - {SWD(2017) 390 final} - {SWD(2017) 391 final} - {SWD(2017) 392 final} - {SWD(2017) 393 final} - {SWD(2017) 394 final} - {SWD(2017) 395 final} - {SWD(2017) 396 final} - {SWD(2017) 397 final} - {SWD(2017) 399 final} - {SWD(2017) 401 final} - {SWD(2017) 402 final} - {SWD(2017) 404 final} - {SWD(2017) 405 final} - {SWD(2017) 406 final} - {SWD(2017) 407 final} - {SWD(2017) 408 final} - {SWD(2017) 409 final} - {SWD(2017) 411 final} - {SWD(2017) 412 final} - {SWD(2017) 413 final} - {SWD(2017) 414 final}  
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

  Ireland 
      Energy Union factsheet1 

1.  Macroeconomic implications of energy activities 
Energy and transport are key sectors for the overall functioning of the economy as they provide an 
important  input  and  service  to  the  other  sectors  of  the  economy.  Together,  these  two  sectors2 
accounted  for  on  average  4.1%  of  the  total  value  added  of  Ireland.3  Similarly,  their  share  in  total 
employment4 was 4.9% in 2015.  

(source: Eurostat) 

The  decarbonisation  of  the  energy  and  transport  sectors  will  require  significant  investments  and 
economic  activity  beyond  the  remit  of  these  sectors  themselves.  The  energy  transition  implies  a 
structural  shift  in  economic  activity.  Energy-related  investment  and  jobs  will  in  part  migrate  from 
traditional  fossil  fuel  based  activities  towards  construction,  equipment  manufacturing  and  other 
services related to the deployment of low carbon and clean energy technologies. At the moment, the 
efforts related to the low-carbon and clean energy transition in sectors beyond energy can only be 
partially quantified and are therefore not included in this analysis. 

In the case of the renewable energy sector, both the direct and the indirect effects on employment 
are being estimated. According to EurObserv'ER, in 2015, the share of direct and indirect renewable 

1   The indicators used in this country factsheet largely build on indicators developed for the Commission Staff 
Working  Document  "Monitoring  progress  towards  the  Energy  Union  objectives  –  key  indicators" 
final)  https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/swd-energy-union-key-
(SWD(2017)  32 
indicators_en.pdf  

2   Gross value added and employment in NACE sectors D-Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply 

and H-Transportation and storage 

3   The  year  2015  records  a  lower  share  of  only  4.1%  because  of  the  extraordinary  headline  GDP  growth  of 
26.3%  due  to  the  accounting  of  a  bigger  share  of  multinational  company's  global  value  added  to  their 
affiliates  in Ireland. 
4   National accounts, Eurostat 

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                              Energy Union – Ireland 

energy related employment in total employment of the economy in Ireland was at about 0.25%, well 
below the EU average of 0.54%. The turnover of the renewable energy industry in the same year was 
estimated  at  around  EUR  665  million,  the  biggest  part  being  attributed  to  wind,  followed  by 
bioenergy. 

 (source: EC based on Eurobserv'Er and Eurostat)  

An  indication  of  the  level  of  efforts  and  challenges  encountered  by  Ireland  in  the  energy  sector  is 
given by the Gross fixed capital formation (GFCF)5. After the year 2010, and taking the electricity and 
gas  sectors  as  reference  sectors,  the  share  of  investments  in  GDP  has  fallen  significantly.  It 
represented  around  0.4%  of  the  country's  GDP  in  2015,  much  lower  than  in  the  pre-crisis  period 
when it varied around 0.7 to 0.8% of GDP.  

 (source: Eurostat) 

In  terms  of  trade,  Ireland  is  a  net  importer  of  fossil  fuels.  The  trade  deficit  in  energy  products  has 
fallen  from  about  2%  of  GDP  in  2006  to  1.6%  in  20156,  influenced  by  improvements  in  energy 

5 Gross fixed capital formation consists of resident producers´ acquisitions, less disposals, of fixed tangible or 
intangible assets. This covers, in particular, machinery and equipment, vehicles, dwellings and other buildings. It 
also includes foreign direct investment (FDI). Steam and air conditioning supply are also included in the figures 
mentioned above as Eurostat reports electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply together. 
6   This also represents a continuous decrease from the record high of 2011 at 3.2 % GDP deficit. In 2014, the 

deficit was 2.7%. 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

efficiency,  domestic  renewable  energy  production  and  by  the  decrease  in  the  prices  of  energy 
commodities.  The  decrease  is  almost  completely  accounted  for  by  petroleum  products.  The  trade 
deficit for gas has hardly changed whereas the trade deficits for electricity and coal are negligible.  

 (source: Eurostat)  

2.  Energy security, solidarity and trust 

2.1. Energy Mix 

Ireland's share of oil in its energy mix is far above the EU average (49.9 % vs 34.4%). The Irish share of 
solid fuels (15.5%) and natural gas (26.6%) in the energy mix is closer to the EU averages (16.2% and 
22% respectively), but the country is below average in the renewable share (7.6% vs 13%).   

(Source: Eurostat) 

      2.2. Import dependency and security of supply 

Import  dependency  is  a  key  issue  for  Ireland  given  its  geographical  location.  In  2015,  88.7%  of 
Ireland's energy consumption is coming from imports, almost 30 p.p. more than the EU average. This 
is due to the high share of crude oil and hard coal in the energy mix which are respectively imported 
from  Norway  at  70.9%  and  from  Colombia  at  84.1%.  However,  this  situation  is  expected  to  have 
changed  in 2016. According to  national  figures,  the production  of  natural  gas  from  the Corrib  field 
reduced  gas  imports  to  41%  in 2016,  and  therefore  the overall import  dependency  of  the  country. 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

The  balance  of  gas  demand  is  imported  from  or  through  the  United  Kingdom.  Inland-produced 
renewable energy would have large potential to reduce the energy dependency of Ireland. 

 (source: Eurostat. An import dependency ratio above 100% means that the country processes some petroleum 
and coal products before exporting them.) 

The overall import dependency of Ireland recorded a slight decrease of about 0.9 p.p. between 2005 
and 2015, whilst at the EU level, import dependency increased by 1.9p.p. over the same period. Still, 
Ireland  imported,  in  absolute  terms,  96.5  %  of  its  natural  gas7  and  108.2%  of  its  oil  needs  in  2015 
(meaning oil was then refined and exported again); import dependency on hard coal was near 92%.   

The aggregate supplier concentration index (SCI) increased considerably (by 10%) between 2005 and 
20148, in particular as regards hard coal (38.9% increase) for which Colombia became the dominant 
supplier  in  2015  providing  84.1%  of  third  country  supplies.  Norway  was  the  dominant  supplier  of 
crude oil (70.9%) in that same year. 

The EU Gas Security of Supply Regulation (GSSR)9 requires that, if the single largest gas infrastructure 
fails  in  one  Member  State,  the  capacity  of  the  remaining  infrastructure  is  able  to  satisfy  total  gas 
demand during a day of exceptionally high gas demand.  

Ireland cooperates with the UK on issues of gas security of supply. The two countries have adopted a 
regional  approach  towards  the  obligations  under  the  EU  GSSR10.  As  a  result,  Ireland  complies  with 
the N-1 rule at regional level (UK-IE), reaching an N-1 value of 134%. Furthermore, the UK and Ireland 
produce a Joint Risk Assessment and a Joint Preventative Action Plan.  

The UK is either the source or the conduit for the majority of Ireland’s 88% dependency on imported 
energy, and of 97% of natural gas supplies prior to the commencement of production from the Corrib 
gas field (2015 figures).  

7   As discussed above, these numbers are expected to have changed in 2016 
8 Source: SWD(2017) 32 final, 1.2.2017, Second report on the State of the Energy Union,  p.38. 
9 Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 October 2010 concerning 
measures  to  safeguard  security  of  gas  supply  and  repealing  Council  Directive  2004/67/EC  Text  with  EEA 
relevance. 
10See Ibid. 

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                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(source: gas coordination group) 

3.  Internal market 

3.1. Interconnections and wholesale market functioning 

3.1.1.  Electricity  

 (source: EC based on ENTSO-E 
scenario outlook and adequacy 
forecast 2014) 

(sources: EC services based on Eurostat for the left graph  and based on 
Platts and European power exchanges for the right graph) 

Due to its geographical location, Ireland is somewhat isolated from the EU electricity market. In 2017 
its level of interconnection11was at 7.4% of installed generation capacity. Nevertheless, the country is 
on the path to reach the 10% target by 2020 through the completion of PCIs currently under way.  
There  are  several  electricity  PCIs  in  the  pipeline  involving  Ireland;  AC  interconnector  to  Northern 
Ireland  (commissioning  date  2021,  capacity  1500  MVA);  a  second  AC  interconnector  to  Northern 
Ireland  (commissioning  date  2027,  capacity  710  MVA);  the  DC  Greenlink  project  to  Wales 

11  The  interconnectivity  level  is  calculated  as  a  ratio  between  import  interconnection  and  net  generation 
capacities  of  the  country  (i.e.  the  2017  value  is  the  ratio  between  simultaneous  import  interconnection 
capacity [GW] and net generating capacity [GW] in the country at 11 January 2017, 19:00 pm as resulted 
from ENTSO-E Winter Outlook 2016/2017) 

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                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(commissioning date 2021, capacity 700MW); the DC Celtic interconnector to France (commissioning 
date 2025, capacity 700 MW).  

The  currently  operational  East-West  interconnector  has  a  maximum  capacity  of  500  MW  and  is 
connected to the GB electricity grid in Wales. Furthermore, there is currently an on-going study into 
the feasibility of an interconnector between Ireland and France (the Celtic interconnector) which, if 
the project goes ahead, could also allow the Irish grid direct access to electricity from France. 

Concentration of the power generation market is well below EU average and there is also significant 
diversification  in  fuel  supply.  Indeed,  in  1990  fossil  fuels  accounted  for  around  93%  of  gross 
electricity  generation.  Following  the  establishment  of  renewable  schemes  in  2001,  renewable 
penetration has resulted in the shares from peat and coal dropping almost in half. In 2015 fossil fuels 
inputs  fell  to  around  71%  of  electricity  generation  (Natural  Gas  44%,  solid  fuels  26%).  Renewables 
accounted for around 29%, mainly through wind energy (23%).  

Wholesale  electricity  prices  are  slightly  above  EU  average,  even  if  they  recorded  a  very  important 
decrease  (-40%)  in  recent  years,  which  brought  them  closer  to  the  EU  average  in  2016.  Various 
factors could explain this trend: the influence of gas prices on electricity price formation; the higher 
transmission costs paid by customers due to the population dispersal across the island; or the cost 
implications of market imperfections associated with the curtailment of generation (including wind). 

3.1.2.  Gas  

(source: ACER for the left graph and EC services based on on Platts, gas hubs, Eurostat for the right graph) 

Wholesale  gas  prices  are  slightly  above  EU  average,  and  they  went  down  33%  between  2013  and 
2016.  These  drops  can  be  attributed  to  on-going  healthy  supply,  decreased  demand  year  on  year, 
and the drop in international gas prices. 

Ireland is well connected to the UK gas market via two sub-sea interconnectors between the UK and 
Ireland  and  another  via  Northern  Ireland  which  is  connected  to  Scotland.  It  has  also  planned  for 
some  time  to  develop  an  LNG  regasification  terminal  at  Shannon  on  the  south  west  coast.  This 
project is a PCI with a planned commissioning date of 2019. 

As regards market concentration, according to ACER, the threshold for a well-functioning market is 
2000.  In  2015,  Ireland  was  one  of  the  five  Member  States  (together  with  Belgium,  Luxembourg, 
Sweden and  the UK) which had a concentration index under this threshold. This is due to Ireland's 
largely reliance on gas from the North Sea, a region characterized by a high number of gas producers, 

6 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

some  of  which  can  also  source  LNG.  In  2016,  indigenous  gas  production  from  the  Corrib  gas  field 
came on stream and met over 55% of Ireland’s gas demand. The majority of the balance of Ireland’s 
natural gas requirement is imported via the UK.  

3.2. Retail electricity and gas markets  

3.2.1.  Electricity 

In 2016, household electricity prices in Ireland were above the EU average. Between 2013 and 2016, 
average  band  retail  electricity  prices  for  households  decreased  by  3%,  still  a  much  lower  decrease 
than for wholesale prices. The share of taxes and levies in household electricity prices is much lower 
in Ireland than in the rest of the EU.  

Smart metering has not yet started and it is scheduled to begin in 2019. However, annual switching 
rates are far above EU average (14% in Ireland v. 6.2% in the EU in 2015). 

(source: ACER) 

(source: Eurostat)  

(source: Eurostat) 

3.2.2.  Gas 

In  2016,  household  gas  prices  in  Ireland  were  close  to  the  EU  average.  Between  2013  and  2016, 
average band retail gas prices for households decreased by 6%, still below the decrease of wholesale 
prices. 
Annual switching rates were far above EU average (15.1 % in Ireland v. 7 % in the EU in 2015.   The 
Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) is active in promoting switching as a means for consumers 
to help increase competition.  CER's Energy Customers Team acts as single contact point providing a 
free  dispute  resolution service. CER  has  also  implemented  measures  to  ensure that disconnections 
are a last resort including offering customers a free Pay-As-You-Go meter. Low switching costs may 
also contribute to this high switching level. 

7 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(source: ACER) 

(source: Eurostat)  

(source: Eurostat) 

3.2.3.  Market performance indicators 

According  to  the  periodical  survey  of  the  European  Commission,  the  Irish  consumers  are  more 
satisfied than the EU average about the services received on electricity retail markets. On gas retail 
markets, the level of satisfactions is close to the EU average.  

(source: DG JUST survey) 

3.3. Energy affordability  

The share of energy in total household expenditures of the lowest quintile of population is relatively 
close to the EU average (8.1% for Ireland v. 8.6% for the EU). The percentage of citizens below the at-
risk-of poverty threshold unable to keep their home adequately warm increased by 7.7 percentage 
points between 2005 and 201512. This increase could be explained by the economic difficulties faced 
by  Ireland  over  the  period  that  can  have  generally  impacted  purchasing  power  of  households.  In 
addition,  the  households  most  affected  by  energy  poverty  are  typically  those  in  which  the  energy 
efficiency  of  homes  is  the  poorest  (old,  insufficiently  insulated  homes).  This  leads  to  a  greater 
sensitivity to domestic consumer energy prices.  

12 SWD(2017) 32 final, 1.2.2017, Second report on the State of the Energy Union,  p.62 

8 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

 (source: ad-hoc data collection of DG ENER based on HBS with the support of Eurostat and national statistics) 

4.  Energy efficiency and moderation of demand  
Since 2005, Ireland has decreased its primary energy consumption by 5.3% to 13.96 Mtoe in 2015. 
Over the same period, final energy consumption has also decreased by 11% to 11.21 Mtoe in 2015. 
Ireland has  already  achieved  levels  of  primary  and  final  energy  consumption  below  the  indicative 
national  2020  targets  (13.9  Mtoe  in  primary  energy  consumption  and  11.7  Mtoe  in  final  energy 
consumption).  However,  the  latest  projections13  suggest  that  Ireland  might  not  achieve  its  2020 
target.  It  is  therefore  important  that  Ireland  intensifies  its  efforts,  especially  as  the  Irish  economy 
picks up. This issue has been acknowledged by the Irish Authorities and several initiatives have been 
introduced to correct the trajectory. 

Primary energy intensity decreased by 3.7% on annual average over the last 10 years, a faster rate 
than the EU as a whole.  

(source: Eurostat) 

In  2015  in  Ireland,  transport  was  the  largest  final  energy  consuming  sector  representing  a  41.2% 
share in the total final energy consumption, which is above than the EU average (i.e. 33.1%). On the 
contrary, in all other sectors, the energy consumption of Ireland was in 2015 below the EU average, 
although it is quite close to it in the agricultural and residential sectors. 

13 National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for Ireland #4 2017-2020, 

http://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/NEEAP%204.pdf (accessed September 2017). 

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                              Energy Union – Ireland 

In the residential sector, the improvement of home energy efficiency is recognized as a priority issue. 
Several  initiatives  have  been  launched  to  promote  energy  efficiency  renovations  in  homes  with 
promising  results.  The  "Warmer  Homes  Better  Energy"  scheme14  for  instance  fully  funds  energy 
efficiency  improvements  for  the  most  vulnerable  households,  to  combat  energy  poverty.  Another 
example is the "Better Energy Homes" energy efficiency grants scheme15 that offers financial support 
for targeted energy efficiency measures. A number of pilot schemes are also underway, one testing 
the  multiple  benefits  of  energy  efficiency  as  well  as  a  scheme  aimed  at  deeper  energy  efficiency 
upgrades16. 

(source: Eurostat) 

In  Ireland,  final  energy  intensity  decreased  considerably  over  the  2005-2015  period,  staying  well 
below  EU  average,  and  decreasing  at  a  faster  pace.  A  detailed  sectoral  assessment  can  illustrate 
these trends.  The energy intensity of Irish's industry is the lowest in the EU together with Denmark, 
and has been decreasing over the last ten years. Ireland has also improved its energy intensity in the 
services and household sector.  

(source: Eurostat)  

(source: Eurostat)  

  (source: Odyssee database) 

Between 2005 and 2015 in Ireland, the final energy consumption in transport recorded an average 
annual  decrease  of  0.7%.  This  may  have  been  largely  driven  by  the  dramatic  decrease  in  freight 
transport activity, consequence of the worsening of the economic context.   

14 http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Warmer_Homes_Scheme/About_the_BEWH.html (accessed May 2017). 
15  https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/better-energy-homes/ 
16  https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/warmth-and-wellbeing/;  https://www.seai.ie/grants/home-grants/deep-

retrofit-programme/ 

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                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(source: Eurostat)  

        (source: Eurostat and DG MOVE pocketbook) 

The share of collective passengers’ land transport into total passengers' transport increased between 
2005 and 2015 by 1.7 percentage points indicating a lower use of private transport means in Ireland.  

(source: Eurostat) 

The Irish National Reform Programme 2016 has announced that for the seven years 2016 to 2022, 
the  government  will  invest  EUR  10  billion  in  transport.  This  transport  capital  allocation  is  largely 
framed  by  the  recommendations  and  priorities  set  out  in  the  Strategic  Investment  Framework  for 
Land Transport. The priorities are to maintain and renew the strategically important elements of the 
existing land transport system, to address urban congestion and to improve the efficiency and safety 
of existing transport networks. In addition, getting people out of cars and onto public transport has a 
key  role  to  play  in  reducing  Ireland’s  carbon  emissions,  by  providing  a  viable,  less  polluting 
alternative  to  car  and  road  transport  for  many  journeys.  The  largest  single  project  will  be  a  new 
metro link in Dublin, planned to be in operation by 2026/2027.  

The  strong  rebound  of  the  Irish  economy  that  started  in  2014  has  broadened  and  gained  further 
momentum. The Capital Plan is a national programme for infrastructure investments across Ireland 
over  the  period  2016  to  2021,  and  prioritises  spending  on  those  areas  of  greatest  need  as  the 
economy continues its strong recovery. 

5.  Decarbonisation of economy 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

5.1. GHG emissions 

Under  the  2009  EU  Effort  Sharing  Decision  (No  406/2009/EC),  Ireland  has  an  emissions  reduction 
target for each year between 2013 and 2020. For the year 2020 itself, the target set for Ireland is that 
emissions should be 20% below their level in 2005. 

The  latest  national  projections  of  greenhouse  gas  emissions  indicated  that  emissions  from  those 
sectors  of  the economy  not covered  by  the  EU Emissions  Trading System (ETS)  could  be 3%  below 
2005 levels by 2020 against a -20% target. The 2020 target is consequently expected to be missed by 
around 17 pps.  

The  actual  reduction  in  greenhouse  gas  emissions  to  date  was  driven  largely  by  an  economic  and 
financial  crisis,  with  emissions  increasing  in  recent  years  as  the  recovery  gathered  momentum. 
Emissions in the non-ETS sectors fell consistently between 2008 and 2014, in large part as a result of 
the economic downturn.  

In  2016,  emissions  in  the  non-ETS  sectors  increased  by  3.2%  compared  to  2015,  and  according  to 
preliminary  data,  Ireland  will  miss  its  2016  interim  target  under  the  Effort  Sharing  Decision  by  a 
margin of 2.2 pps. Ireland's own projections indicate that it would cumulatively exceed its non-ETS 
emissions  obligations  by  13.7 Mt  of  CO2  equivalent  over  the  period  2013-2020  under  existing 
measures.  

The implementation of additional measures identified in the National Renewable Energy Action Plan 
and the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan would still generate an excess of emissions of 11.5 Mt 
of  CO2  equivalent  over  the  period  2013-2020.  Ireland  also  published  its  first  statutory  National 
Mitigation Plan in July 2017. This Plan marks the first step in the process of developing the medium- 
to long-term options to ensure that Ireland is well positioned to take the necessary actions to drive 
its National Transition Objective and comply with its international commitments.  

(source: EC and EEA)    

On  a  sectorial  basis,  agriculture,  transport  and  energy  industries  are  by  far  the  largest  emitters  of 
GHG, representing respectively 33.1%, 19.8% and 19.7% of the total in 2015. In the absence of large-
scale heavy industry, the next largest emitter is the residential sector with 13% of total emissions in 
2015. Emissions from agriculture (mainly methane and nitrous oxide) fell consistently between 1999 
and 2011, but have since risen again. In 2015, they were 2.7% below 2005 levels. In transport, strong 
output  growth  and  rising  vehicle  ownership  between  1990  and  2007  led  to  strong  growth  in 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
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emissions in that period. The economic and financial crisis, together with a number of measures to 
reduce CO2 intensity (including the introduction of a carbon tax on fuels in 2010) reversed the trend 
between 2008 and 2012. Since 2013, however, emissions in transport have resumed a rising trend. 

(source: EC and EEA)   

Preliminary accounts under the Kyoto Protocol for Ireland show overall removals of -4.4 Mt CO2-eq. 
as an annual average in the period 2013-2015. For comparison, the annual average of the EU-28 
accounted for removals of -119.0 Mt CO2-eq. Notable are Forest Management accounts showing 
emissions; Ireland is one of only three EU Member States with this accounting issue.  

Removals by Afforestation are clearly higher than emissions by Deforestation and Forest 
Management and both being smaller than removals by Grassland Management. The accounted 
contribution by Cropland Management, changing from a source to a sink in 2015, is negligible. 
Overall, there is a varying, slightly increasing trend in removals due to a complex interaction between 
various activities. Removals by Afforestation and Grassland Management show increasing values in 
2015. Emissions by Deforestation depict an increasing trend over the course of the three-year period, 
overtaking emission by Forest Management in 2015.  

Note: Forest Management credits are capped and presented as yearly averages when the total Forest 
Management credits of the considered period exceed the simulated cap over the same period. 

(source: EC and EEA) 

CO2 emissions in transport and alternative fuelled vehicles 

13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Although  average  CO2  emissions  of  new  cars  in  Ireland  were  below  the  EU  average  in  2016  and 
consistently  declining (by 32.9% compared to 2005), including as a result of changes to the vehicle 
registration tax, in 2015, emissions from road transport were  higher than in the previous year and 
139% higher than in 1990, though down from 2005. 

 (source: European Environment Agency) 

From 2013 to 2016, the number of electric charging points in Ireland has almost doubled, from 551 
to 993 units. 

 (European Environment Agency)  

       (European Alternative Fuels Observatory) 

National Policy Frameworks under Directive 2014/94/EU on alternative fuels infrastructure have to 
establish targets, objective and measures for the development of the market of alternative fuels in 
the  transport  sector  and  the  deployment  of  the  relevant  infrastructure.  Ireland  has  submitted  its 
National Policy Framework as requested under article 3 of the Directive 2014/94/EU. 

A  detailed  assessment  of  the  Irish  National  Policy  Framework  in  terms  of  its  compliance  with  the 
requirements  of  Directive  2014/94/EU  on  alternative  fuels  infrastructure,  its  contribution  to 
achievement  of  long-term  energy and  climate objectives  of  the  Union  and  coherence of  its  targets 
and objectives in terms of cross-border continuity has been published as part of the Communication 
on  Alternative  Fuels  Action  Plans  (COM(2017)652)  and   the  related  staff  working  document 
SWD(2017)365.  

14 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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5.2. Adaptation to climate change 

A non-statutory National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF) was published in 2012. The 
Irish  Climate  Action  and  Low  Carbon  Development  Act  (2015)  obliges  the  competent  ministry  to 
submit  to  Government  for  approval  a  statutory  National  Adaptation  Framework  (NAF)  by  10 
December 2017. This framework is to be reviewed every five years and will identify the sectors and 
lead  Departments  that  will be required  to  prepare sectoral adaptation  plans  in line with  legislative 
requirements  in  addition  to  requiring  local  authorities  to  develop  local  and/or  regional  adaption 
strategies. The statutory NAF will also provide for a regime to increase coordination between sectors 
and the further integration of climate adaptation within all relevant national policy and legislation.  

5.3. Taxes on energy and transport and fossil fuel subsidies 

Ireland uses taxation as part of their climate policy, and has a carbon tax in place. It was introduced 
in December 2009 as a component of Ireland's excise duties on energy products. The tax, called the 
"Mineral Oil Tax", was extended to  all other liquid fuels from May 2010, and applied to solid fuels in 
May  2013.  It  was  introduced  at  a  rate  of  €15/tCO2,  and  it  was  increased  in  2012  by  5€/tCO2  to 
20€/tCO2.  

Ireland's overall tax burden on energy and transport (including carbon taxation) amounts to 2.4% of 
GDP, in line with the EU average. However, the composition of this tax burden in Ireland differs from 
the one in the EU. The Irish tax burden on energy products ranks among the lowest in the EU. In 2014 
it was 0.4 p.p. lower than the EU average, with lower transport fuel tax revenue accounting for about 
half  of  this  gap.  Despite  an  above  average  increase,  the  GDP-ratio  of  the  taxation  of  heat  and 
electricity remains below the EU average. In contrast, the tax burden on transport vehicles in Ireland 
is  among  the  highest  in  the  EU.  Both  the  circulation  and  registration  tax  for  vehicles  have  a  CO2 
emission component. 

 (source: Eurostat) 

The  main  form  of  public  support  to  fossil  fuel  energy  consumption  in  Ireland  (for  which  data  is 
available) is the compensation scheme for electricity produced from peat (shown below as subsidies 
to coal). This has been increasing over the last decade; however the support for peat will expire at 
the end of 2019. 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(source: OECD Inventory of Support Measures for Fossil Fuels 2015)  

5.4. Renewable energy  

Ireland met the 2013/2014 indicative trajectory and is currently in line with the 2015/2016 indicative 
trajectory on the RES share in gross final energy consumption. However, as the indicative trajectory 
becomes steeper towards 2020, reaching the 2020 target remains challenging.  

The  renewable  energy  share  in  the  overall  gross  final  energy  consumption  was  9.2%  in  2015 
(2015/2016  indicative  trajectory  is  8.9 %).  In  2015,  the  renewable  energy  share  was  6.5%  in  the 
transport sector, 6.4% in the heating and cooling sector and 25.2% in the electricity sector.  

 (source: Eurostat-SHARES) 

(source: Eurostat-SHARES) 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

Fossil fuels avoidance and GHG avoided emissions due to penetration of renewable energy sources 
remains below EU average17, in particular as regards greenhouse gas emissions.  

 (source: EEA) 

In  Ireland,  electricity  from  renewable  sources  is  mainly  promoted  through  a  feed-in-tariff  scheme 
(REFIT), though the scheme is now closed for new projects and there is at present no support scheme 
available  for  new  investments  in  the  production  of  electricity  from  renewable  energy  sources. 
Renewable  energy  sources  for  heating  purposes  are  promoted  through  a  grant  and  a  tax  return. 
Renewable energy in the transport sector is promoted through a biofuels obligation scheme, while 
there is also a subsidy and two tax regulation mechanisms for the purchase of electric and (plug-in) 
hybrid electric vehicles.  

As part of its National Reform Programme 2017 Ireland sets out plans to develop a new electricity 
support  scheme  (RESS)  and  a  new  renewable  heat  incentive  scheme  (RHI)  in  order  to  meet  its 
renewables targets. The introduction of any new scheme will be subject to government approval and 
state aid approval from the European Commission.   

Access of electricity from renewable sources to the grid is granted according to the principle of non-
discrimination  and  renewable  energy  plants  are  connected  under  the  so-called  Group  Processing 
Approach (GPA). Regarding the use of the grid, operators are obliged to provide an offer for use to 
every operator of an (renewable) energy plant. Grid operators are generally obliged to develop the 
grid system. However, individual plant operators do not have the right to demand grid expansion. In 
addition, there are also a number of transitional provisions concerning grid connections that aim to 
facilitate the correlation of grid connection with the new RES support scheme18.  

17   Avoided  GHG  emissions  mentioned  here  have  a  theoretical  character  as  these  contributions  do  not 
necessarily  represent  'net  GHG  savings  per  se'  nor  are  they  based  on  life-cycle  assessment  or  full  carbon 
accounting. 

18   http://www.res-legal.eu/ 

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5.5. Contribution of the Energy Union to better air quality 

Air  quality  in  Ireland  is  reported  to  be  generally  good,  with  exceptions.  For  the  year  2013,  the 
European  Environment  Agency  estimated  that  about  1,520  premature  deaths  were  attributable  to 
fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations and 30 to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations19.  

In 2015, Ireland reported no exceedances of the binding EU air quality standards20, as shown in the 
figure below21. 

(source: EEA) 

The health-related external costs from air pollution in Ireland have been estimated to be more than 
EUR 2 billion/year (income adjusted, 2010), which includes the intrinsic value of living a healthy life 
without premature death as well as the direct costs to the economy such as healthcare costs and lost 
working days due to sickness caused by air pollution22. 

The  Energy  Union  can  substantially  contribute  to  further  improve  air  quality  through  measures 
reducing emissions of both GHG and air pollutants such as PM and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from major 
contributing  sectors  such  as  (road)  transport,  energy  production,  industry  and  residential  heating 
(e.g. stoves and boilers) as shown below23. 

19  European  Environment  Agency,  2016,  Air  Quality  in  Europe  –  2016  Report,  table  10.2.  The  report  also 
includes details as regards the underpinning methodology for calculating premature deaths.    
20 Directive 2008/50/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 May 2008 on ambient air quality 
and cleaner air for Europe, OJ L 152, 11.6.2008, p.1-44 
21  Compliance  data  as  reported  by  the  Member  States  as  part  of  their  official  annual  air  quality  report  for  the 
calender year 2015 (available on the European Environment Agency's (EEA) Eionet/Central Data Repository), 
http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/ie/eu/aqd  
22  See  also  the EU  Environmental Implementation  Review Country Report for Ireland, SWD(2017)60  final  of 
3.2.2017 
23 National emission data as reported by the Member States to the EEA (available on the EEA's Eionet/Central 
Data Repository), http://cdr.eionet.europa.eu/ie/eu/nec_revised 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(Source: EEA. This table reflects only sources of primary PM2,5 emissions.) 

6.  Research, innovation and competitiveness  

6.1. 

Research and innovation policy  

In  March  2016,  a  national  strategy  and  roadmap  for  energy  research  was  prepared  in  Ireland  by  a 
dedicated Energy Research Strategy Group. The Strategy aims to develop world-class and world-scale 
energy research capability. It is also the responsibility of this Group to ensure the implementation of 
this Strategy. 

The Irish Energy Research Council (IERC) is a key element of the Strategy. Its focus is on the demand 
side of energy management and generation, which includes distributed generation and micro-grids. 
The  current  priority  areas  for  research  projects  funded  by  the  IERC  are:  (a)  Smart  Cities  and 
Sustainable  Communities;  (b)  Low  Carbon  Heating  and  Cooling;  (c)  Monitoring,  Measurement  and 
Analysis of Energy; and (d) Embedded and Distributed Generation Systems.  

Ireland is an active contributor to the on-going work of the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan. It 
participates  in  five  (out  of  fourteen)  temporary  working  groups  for  the  implementation  of  the 
integrated SET Plan, and it leads the group on ocean energy. 

Regarding  the  Horizon  2020  programme,  Ireland  has  so  far  received  1.6%  of  the  EU  contribution 
devoted to the 'secure, clean and efficient energy' part of the programme. As of September 2017, 76 
participations from Irish organisations have been awarded EUR 29.4 million in Horizon 2020 energy 
projects. This includes a grant of almost EUR 2.5 million to Exergyn Ltd for its participation in project 
Exergyn  Drive  (recycled  low  grade  waste  heat)  and  six  grants  totalling  over  EUR  7  million  to  Irish 
beneficiaries participating in project RealValue (smart electric thermal storage). 

6.2. 

Investments and patents in the Energy Union R&I priorities  

In  2015,  public  (national)  investments  in  the  Energy  Union  R&I  priorities  reached  EUR  60  million, 
twice  the  value  reported  for  2014.  This  is  the  highest  annual  public  investment  during  the  period 
2007-2015. The largest share of investments (53%) was attracted by the Smart System R&I priority of 
the Energy Union, followed by Renewables (27%) and Sustainable Transport (18%).  In 2014, the most 
recent  year  for  which  data  from  most  Member  States  are  available,  public  investment  per  GDP  in 
Ireland was lower than the EU average. 

19 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

Private investment in the Energy Union R&I priorities in 2013 was estimated at EUR 61 million (0.4% 
of  the  private  R&I  investment  in  Energy  Union  R&I  priorities  in  the  EU).  The  focus  was  on  Smart 
System, which received 42% of these investments, followed by Renewables with a share of 32%.  

In 2013, the most recent year for which complete patent24 statistics are available, 18 companies and 
research organisations based in Ireland filed 25 patents in low-carbon energy technologies (0.4% of 
the EU total). The focus was on Renewables (34%), followed by Sustainable Transport (31%) and the 
Smart System priority (24%). 

In  2013,  both  private  R&I  investments  and  patents  in  Energy  Union  R&I  priorities  were  lower  than 
the  EU  average  when  normalised  by  GDP  and  by  population  respectively.  In  the  period  2007-2013 
private R&I investments have decreased on average by 1% per year, contrary to the EU average value 
that increased by 6% on average. For the same period, the number of patents in the Energy Union 
R&I  priorities  has  increased  on  average  by  10%  per  year,  a  slower  increase  compared  to  the 
respective EU rate (15%). 

Note: The international comparison (right) is shown for 2014 (Ireland had reported EUR 29.4 million). Reporting 
at EU level for 2015 is not as complete, and very few countries have reported for 2016. 

24   In  the  context  of  this  document,  the  term  'patent'  refers  to  patent  families,  rather  than  applications,  as  a 
measure  of  innovative  activity.  Patent  families  include  all documents  relevant to  a  distinct  invention (e.g. 
applications to multiple authorities), thus preventing multiple counting. A fraction of the family is allocated 
to each applicant and relevant technology. 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(Data sources: Public investment as available in the International Energy Agency RD&D Statistics database25 for 
codes  relevant  to  Energy  Union  RIC  priorities.  Patent  data  based  on  the  European  Patent  Office  PATSTAT 
database26. Private investment as estimated by JRC SETIS. Detailed methodology available from the JRC27.) 

6.3. 

Competitiveness 

In 2014, the real unit energy costs (RUEC)28 in Ireland (8.5%) was almost half those at the EU average 
(15.3%). This is still above those in the US but below those in Japan and China. Electricity prices paid 
by  industrial  customers  in  Ireland  are  close  to  EU  and  OECD  averages;  gas  prices  for  industrial 
consumers are slightly above EU averages. 

(source: ECFIN) 

Ireland  appears  to  have  a  very  weak  competitiveness  performance  in  wind  and  solar  energy 
technology,  in  both  absolute  terms  and  vis-à-vis  the  EU  as  a  whole.  As  indicated  by  the  revealed 
comparative  advantage  indicator29  being  close  to  zero  and  thus  far  under  the  level for  the  EU, the 

25 http://www.iea.org/statistics/RDDonlinedataservice/  
26 https://www.epo.org/searching-for-patents/business/patstat.html#tab1  
27 https://setis.ec.europa.eu/related-jrc-activities/jrc-setis-reports/monitoring-ri-low-carbon-energy-technologies  
28   This indicator measures the amount of money spent on energy sources needed to obtain one unit of value 

added. 

29 The RCA index for product "i" is defined as follows: RCAi =

Xj,i
∑ Xj,i
i
Xw,i
∑ Xw,i
i

 where X is the value of exports, and j is 

the country and w is the reference group, the World economy. 2005 refers in the text to the indicator average 
over the 2000-2009 period, while 2015 represents the average over the 2010-2016 period. The same applies for 
the RTB indicator - see below. 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

Irish economy is neither specialised in solar PV nor in wind turbine technologies. The relative trade 
balance30  confirms  that  Ireland  is  a  net  importer  of  solar  and  wind  components,  relying  more  on 
foreign supply than the EU average. 

(source: UN comtrade) 

7.  Regional and local cooperation 
Since its establishment in 2009, Ireland has been a part of the North Seas Countries’ Offshore Grid 
Initiative  (NSCOGI),  whose  aim  is  to  facilitate  the  cost-effective  deployment  of  offshore  renewable 
energy, in particular wind, and to promote interconnection between the countries in the Region and 
integration  between  wholesale  electricity  markets.  In  2016,  the  countries  in  the  North  Seas  region 
signed a political declaration to reaffirm their commitment to (voluntary) cooperation, with the aim 
of securing a sustainable, secure and affordable energy supply for the Northern Seas countries. This 
initiative includes a work plan with sector specific working groups to develop concrete cooperation 
between Member States. The development of an offshore grid linking the ten countries in the North 
Seas  region  (Belgium,  Denmark,  France,  Germany,  Ireland,  Luxembourg,  the  Netherlands,  Norway, 
Sweden and the UK) is a long-standing energy policy priority for the EU.  

Since  November  2007  there  has  been  a  regulatory  cooperation  arrangement  in  place  for  all 
wholesale electricity matters between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which provides for joint decision 
making between the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) in Ireland and the Utility Regulator in 
Northern Ireland (UREGNI) via the Single Electricity Market Committee (SEMC). The SEMC works on 
implementation  of  the  EU  Target  Model  and  development  of  the  design  of  revised  energy  and 
capacity markets under the aegis of the new Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM). The SEMC is 
also responsible for the cooperation with Ofgem and regional partners on implementation of the 3rd 
Package  requirements  through  the  France-UK-Ireland  region,  and  cross  border  congestion 
management arrangements. 

'Interreg'  –  under  EU  cohesion  policy  provides  further 
European  Territorial  Cooperation  – 
opportunities for cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation, including in the Energy 
Union areas. 

30 The RTB indicator for product "i" is defined as follows: RTBi =

Xi−Mi
Xi+Mi

 where Xi is the value of product's "i" 

exports and Mi imports. 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                            
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

Cities and urban areas have a key role in the energy and climate challenge. The Urban Agenda for the 
EU,  established  by  the  Pact  of  Amsterdam  in  May  2016,  better  involves  cities  in  the  design  and 
implementation of policies, including those related to the Energy Union. It is implemented through 
Partnerships, in which the Commission, Member States, cities and stakeholders work together on a 
number  of  important  areas,  including  on  Energy  Transition,  Urban  Mobility,  Air  Quality,  Climate 
Adaptation and Housing. 

By 2016, in the context of the Covenant of Mayors, the sustainable energy action plans delivered by 5 
Irish  municipalities  had  been  assessed.  Overall,  these  5  municipalities  cover  about  1.4  million 
inhabitants.  These  municipalities  committed  to  reducing  GHG  emissions  by  20.4%  by  2020  (as 
compared  to  1990  baseline),  a  lower  percentage  reduction  than  at  EU  level.  In  addition,  3  cities 
(covering 1.16 million inhabitants) have committed to conduct vulnerability and risk assessment and 
develop and implement adaptation plans. 

(source: JRC 2016. Notes: SEAP=sustainable energy action plan, GHG=greenhouse gas emissions) 

8.  Cohesion policy and EU-supported clean energy investments  
EU  cohesion  policy  makes  a  key  contribution  to  delivering  the  Energy  Union  objectives  on  the 
ground, including investment possibilities to implement energy policy objectives in Ireland which are 
complemented  by  national  public  and  private  co-financing,  aiming  at  optimal  leverage.  It  also 
ensures integrated territorial solutions to energy and climate challenges, supports capacity building 
and provides technical assistance. 

Over 2014-2020, cohesion policy is investing some EUR 85 million in energy efficiency improvements 
in  residential  buildings  in  Ireland.  Cohesion  policy  is  also  investing  significantly  in  R&I  and  in  SME 
competitiveness in Ireland, based on the national strategy for smart specialisation. For Ireland, the 
strategy includes a focus on 14 research priorities, one of which is marine renewable energy. At this 
stage,  the  allocations  foreseen  for  investments  in  R&I  and  adoption  of  low-carbon  technologies  in 
Ireland are not specified, but should become available in line with the evolving content of the smart 
specialisation strategy. A further estimated EUR 3 million is invested in supporting the move towards 
an energy-efficient, decarbonised transport sector. 

23 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

(source: DG REGIO) 

These  investments  are  expected to  contribute  to  around 30,000  households  with improved energy 
consumption  classification.  Overall,  the  cohesion  policy  investments  in  Ireland  over  2014-2020  are 
expected to contribute to an estimated annual decrease of GHG emissions of around 14,000 tonnes 
of CO2eq. 

For example, a key objective of the Social Housing Retrofit (SHRS) initiative, managed by Department 
of Housing, Planning, & Local Government, is to provide funding to those local authorities that have 
the greatest social housing targets and who can return the maximum number of units to a lettable, 
energy  efficient  condition  at  reasonable  cost  and  to  meet  Ireland’s  commitments  in  relation  to 
carbon emissions reduction and energy reduction targets for 2020. There are two separate elements 
under the SHRS: the Energy Efficiency (EE) Programme and the Voids Programme. Minimising voids is 
a  targeted  measure  that  focuses  exclusively  on  vacant  properties  with  the  objective  of  returning 
these to productive use as quickly as possible. The scheme focuses on the retrofitting of the fabric of 
the dwelling (insulation of walls/roofs, window/door replacement, heating system improvement) and 
applies  to  all  local  authorities.  In  the  Border  Midland  and  Western  region  energy  efficiency  works 
were  carried  out  on  over  1,400  units  since  2014.  In  2016,  the  number  of  vacant  units  retrofitted 
decreased to 597. The average energy efficient work cost per unit in 2014 was EUR 3,352, EUR 2,919 
in  2015  and  EUR 4,220  in  2016.  In  the  Southern  and  Eastern  Region,  5 475  vacant  units  were 
retrofitted  by  the  end  of  2016  with  total  expenditure  of  EUR  26.85  million  reported  under  the 
scheme. The average energy efficient work cost per unit in 2014 was EUR 5,543, EUR 5,929 in 2015, 
and EUR 6,034 in 2016. 

Another example is the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, managed by the Sustainable Energy 
Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, 
commenced  operations  in  March  2014  with  an  extension  of  an  existing  framework  panel.  A  new 
tender  and  framework  panel  was  appointed  in  January  2015  and  operations  under  this  new  panel 
commenced in March 2015. It targets low-income households at risk of energy poverty. The scheme 
aims  at  improving  the  energy  efficiency  of  the  household  at  risk  and  in  the  process  reduce  the 
amount of expenditure that is required to be spent on energy. In the Border Midland and Western 
region  the  scheme  continued  operations  throughout  2016  and  the  number  of  households  with 
improved  energy  consumption  classification  by  the  end  of  2016  was  7,670.  In  the  Southern  and 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
                              Energy Union – Ireland 

Eastern region, 11 376 low-income households have had their energy efficiency improved by the end 
of 2016. This was funded with EUR 40 million through the scheme. 

Through  its  support  to  sustainable  transport  systems,  the  Connecting  Europe  Facility  (CEF)  also 
contributes  to  the  goals  of  the  Energy  Union.  Following  Irish  participation  in  the  CEF  –  Transport 
2014-2015 Calls, the Irish action portfolio comprises 16 signed grant agreements, allocating EUR 78.5 
million  of  actual  CEF  Transport  Funding  to  Irish  beneficiaries  (state-of-play  February  2017)31.  The 
transport mode which receives the highest share of funding is maritime (49% of actual funding). As 
an island nation Ireland is heavily dependent on its ports. The country is investing in its State owned 
commercial ports, upgrading their operational capacities and consecutively contributing to a better 
integration  of  the  maritime  transport  into  the  North  Sea  –  Mediterranean  corridor.  Ireland  is  also 
involved  in  a  maritime  transportation  action,  aiming  at  developing  Sea  Traffic  Management 
technologies.  

Ireland  is  an  active  partner  in  several  multi-country  road  actions  encompassing  studies  on  the 
harmonisation  of  interoperable  intelligent  transport  systems  (ITS)  and  cooperative  Intelligent 
transport systems (C-ITS). In addition, one innovation action addresses the introduction of a national 
network of CNG refuelling facilities, allowing end user uptake and higher levels of CNG deployment. 

Within  the  rail  portfolio,  the  CEF  programme  contributes  to  removing  the  capacity  cross-border 
bottlenecks, and an upgrading of the existing signalling system. Ireland is also involved through multi-
beneficiary  air  actions  covering  both  studies  and  works.  These  actions  contribute  firstly  to  the 
deployment of the Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR), and secondly to the modernisation of 
the air traffic management (ATM) system.32 

31   Note  that  European  Economic  Interest  Groups  and  International  Organisations  are  excluded  from  the 

analysis. 
32   Source: INEA 

25