SEI shows shift in Irish energy usage

New figures from Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) indicate that energy consumption in Ireland for 2002 remained unchanged year on year and energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions actually decreased, despite continued economic growth.

This marks the first time since 1990 that energy consumption has significantly decoupled from economic activity and also that CO2 emissions have decoupled from energy growth.

1990 is significant as a baseline year as the Kyoto Protocol and associated EU targets are based on emissions from that year.

The figures are contained in a report entitled Energy in Ireland 1990-2002, published by SEI’s Energy Policy Statistical Support Unit.

It suggests that 2002 was unique over the 12 year period of analysis with economic growth increasing by 6.9%, energy consumption showing a very slight increase of 0.1%, and energy-related CO2 emissions decreasing by 1.4%.

Despite the shift, Ireland remains heavily dependent on imported energy, dominated by oil and gas, which accounts for 89% of total energy consumption compared with an EU average of 50%.

Commenting at the launch of the report, David Taylor, chief executive of SEI, said: “We believe these findings mark a significant step in Ireland's acknowledging its commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.”

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) is a statutory authority charged with promoting and assisting the development of sustainable energy.

SEI is funded by the Government under the National Development Plan 2000 – 2006 with programmes part-financed by the European Union.