The Energy White Paper presents a long-term strategic vision that is intended to guide the direction of Irish energy policy from now until 2030. At its heart is a commitment to transform Ireland into a low carbon society and economy by 2050 and reduce the country’s fossil fuel dependency. The Programme for Government also commits to reducing our import dependency while maintaining energy security, affordability and reducing energy-related emissions.
Ireland’s dependency on imported fossil fuels - which increased to 88% of all energy used in 2015 - means that the Irish economy is particularly exposed to international energy price volatility. The cost of all energy imports to Ireland in 2015 was approximately €4.6 billion, and while that was down from €5.7 billion in 2014 due mainly to falling oil and gas import prices, further increases would place cost pressures on businesses and households across the country.
I am therefore committed to minimising this exposure through the promotion of energy efficiency measures and support for indigenous renewable energy in different sectors of the economy. The deployment of indigenous renewable energy resources and the implementation of energy efficiency measures can help ensure we maintain energy security and stable affordable prices for all energy users.
My Department has developed a series of policy measures designed to promote the cost effective use of renewable energy in the electricity and heating sectors and support the uptake of energy efficiency measures across the economy, in accordance with the energy efficiency first approach. Heating a property which is not appropriately insulated and ventilated will result in wasted energy and unnecessary costs regardless of heating type, while a home that is properly insulated will achieve a much greater degree of warmth and comfort for a smaller amount of energy.
While there are no supports for the use of biofuel for heat production at a household level, through the Better Energy Homes Scheme administered by SEAI, my Department makes a wide range of grants and supports available to householders who wish to upgrade the energy efficiency of their home. To date, nearly one fifth of all homes in Ireland have received some form of Government supported energy efficiency upgrade. Households can also avail of grant support for investment in renewable energy installations, including solar thermal, under the Scheme.
