Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)

18 Oct Review of Ireland’s Energy Policy in the Context of the Changing Economy

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2009

This Report follows on from the Report on Future Energy Policy in Ireland published by the Irish Academy of Engineering in March 2006. The selected topics contained in the Report relate to areas of more immediate priority in the context of the changing economy. The Academy published a series of follow‐up, supplementary reports on energy matters over the next two years. This Report is based on the consensus view of the Irish Academy of Engineering’s Steering Committee on Energy (see inside back cover for details of the Committee). They were assisted in addressing this highly complex subject by a number of other parties, whose contribution is acknowledged on the inside back cover. The Report does not necessarily reflect the personal views of all the Academy members.

18 Oct Irish Energy Policy – Update on Electricity Price Competitiveness

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2009

In June 2009 the Irish Academy of Engineering published a review of Ireland’s energy policy. This review was carried out in the context of the major changes taking place in Ireland’s economy and focussed especially on energy price competitiveness. In particular the review drew attention to the growing lack of competitiveness of Irish electricity prices when compared to EU averages and strongly suggested a re‐examination of government policies in light of the urgent need to restore the country’s international competitiveness. The Academy  updated its analysis based on Eurostat statistics for 2009.

18 Oct Energy Policy and Economic Recovery; 2010 – 2015

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2011

The unprecedented economic crisis in Ireland has created circumstances that require a rapid and fundamental change in energy policy in order to support economic recovery.  A short term (five year) policy perspective is urgently required.  For the next five years the overriding priority in the energy sector is to achieve a significant cost reduction in order to facilitate competitiveness in the productive, particularly the export, sectors of the economy. The report sets out an alternative strategy for the next five years, based on: - Reducing capital investment in the energy sector to a minimum necessary level, particularly with respect to wind power generation and associated grid extensions. - Switching investment to demand side measures, particularly to energy conservation measures. - Taking advantage of the subdued level of natural gas prices predicted for the next five to ten years. A switch, from a policy focussed on increased electricity production, to one focussed on reducing energy consumption would:- - Meet Ireland’s carbon abatement obligations at a lower cost than current production focussed policy - Provide a significant and welcome stimulus to the Irish construction industry

17 Oct Policy Advisory: Energy Policy and Economic Opportunity – The Potential of Large Scale Electricity Exports

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2012

The opportunity to export electricity has arisen because of the difficulty the UK has in meeting its EU renewable energy targets; the commissioning of the East-West Interconnector in 2012 between Ireland and Great Britain; the opportunity to offload onshore wind in the Irish system which would otherwise have been curtailed off; and a surplus of conventional generation in Ireland. This report is the first in a new series of reports on Energy Policy and Economic Opportunity which will be produced by the Academy this year.  This series of reports will also address the role of Oil and Gas, Emerging Transport Technology and Conservation and Energy Efficiency.

17 Oct Policy Advisory: The Future of Oil and Gas in Ireland

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2013

Ireland’s renewable energy supply has grown steadily in recent years but oil and gas continue to provide over 80% of Ireland’s energy supply.  The country’s dependence on these fossil fuels will continue for several decades to come and policy decisions which are taken now will impact significantly on Ireland’s future economic competitiveness. Government policies should promote further development of the natural gas market in Ireland as well as investment in strategic gas infrastructure.  Ireland’s energy import costs can potentially be reduced by over €300 million each year by switching from oil to natural gas in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors. More needs to be done by Government also to attract oil companies with the technical and financial capacity to explore and develop Ireland’s offshore hydrocarbon resources.

17 Oct Policy Advisory: Achieving Ireland’s Energy and CO2 Reduction Targets – An Alternative Approach

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2013

This policy advisory calls for a strategic rebalancing of Government energy policy between now and 2020 and focuses on the Residential, Commercial, Non-ETS Industrial and Public Service Sectors. Through innovative analysis, it proposes several pragmatic measures which have good payback, make national economic sense with associated opportunities for private enterprise, which will stimulate much-needed national economic growth and construction-related employment.