The SEAI report provides definitive national data on energy supply, demand, and related emissions for 2024, with informed estimates for 2025.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), which is the country’s national body committed to a more sustainable future, has today (17 December) published the Energy in Ireland 2025 report.
Findings have shown that, while Ireland has made “meaningful reductions in energy related-emissions” over the last 34 years, there is still an “urgent need to double-down on current efforts to tackle the scale of action required”.
The report stated that since 2018, which is the baseline year for the national carbon budgets, total energy-related emissions fell by 16pc, with electricity generation emissions decreasing by nearly one-third (32pc). According to the report, this was achieved despite contributing factors such as population growth of 10pc, an increased electricity demand of 18pc and a growing economy.
The report stated, “This demonstrates that significant reductions are possible, when backed by strong policy, investment, and public participation working together.”
However, challenges persist, as Ireland’s energy related emissions, while falling, are only reducing at an average of 2.7pc, which is short of the more than 5pc pace required to meet the country’s 2030 climate commitments.
Increased commitment to “what is already working”, is needed and includes increasing the roll-out of wind and solar PV generation, home energy upgrades, heat pumps and electric vehicles. Alongside accelerating new approaches such as district heating networks, as well as grid and storage infrastructure.
The report highlighted that in order to meet future targets, a significant shift will have to be made from private car use to active travel and public transport, especially if the journey is short. While progress is being made, with improved services such as cycleways, local links, bus connects and route extensions, findings suggest that this investment will have to continue alongside further sustainability projects.
Electricity generation delivered some of the fastest emission reductions, driven primarily by the phasing out of peat, coal and significant volumes of gas-fired generation. Furthermore solar PV generation was up by almost 70pc on the previous year, while wind deployment was shown to be lagging behind projections. However, it still delivered almost a third of last year’s electricity consumption.
Commenting on the report’s findings, William Walsh, the CEO of SEAI said, “Energy, how and where we use it, is central to all our ambitions as a country. In moving away from fossil fuels, we are moving towards a more secure, healthier, more competitive economy and society.
“We’re now at the end of Ireland’s first-ever carbon budget. We are making progress while also growing our population and economy – but we need to pick up the pace and do a lot more. We haven’t broken the link between economic development and fossil fuels in a structural, meaningful way yet, and that is a concern.”
He added, “The good news is today’s results show what is possible. We’re keeping the lights on using cleaner energy, 41pc of our electricity now comes from wind, solar and other renewables. We’re making progress and by accelerating delivery, in grid investment and offshore wind infrastructure in particular, we can do a lot more to secure affordable energy for homes and businesses across Ireland.”
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