‘Ireland must take urgent action to meet electricity targets’ - CCAC

To maintain reductions in electricity-related emissions, the CCAC says it is crucial that the use of coal is stopped by 2025 and that oil is phased out 'as soon as possible'.

The Climate Change Advisory Council has said urgent action is required from Government if Ireland is to meet its 2030 electricity capacity targets and stay within the electricity sectoral ceiling.

The council, which published its annual review of the electricity sector today, has warned that Ireland’s renewable electricity generation remains significantly below the required annual increase necessary to meet growing demand and simultaneously comply with the sectoral emissions ceilings.

The council’s recommendations include a call to rapidly finalise all elements of planning reform to accelerate the deployment of renewable electricity generation.

Electricity emissions fell in 2023, driven by a rise in imported electricity from the UK, coupled with a decline in the use of coal to generate it.

Phasing out coal and oil

To maintain reductions, the council says it is crucial that the use of coal to generate electricity is stopped by 2025 and that the use of oil is phased out “as soon as possible”.

Of the need for urgent action from Government, council chairwoman Marie Donnelly said: 

“The council’s analysis of the electricity sector is a stark reminder of the critical actions required to ensure Ireland stays within its emissions ceiling, while providing security of supply for a growing economy. 2023 saw just 0.6GW of new grid-scale onshore renewable connections, well below the 1.6 GW required annually to meet 2030 targets.

Climate Change Advisory Council chairwoman Marie Donnelly highlighted the opportunity to harness indigenous renewable resources to ensure energy security and price stability for consumers. File picture

“The Government must now move urgently to finalise all elements of planning reform that will help accelerate renewable delivery.

“We have a great opportunity in Ireland to harness our indigenous renewable resources, both onshore and offshore, to have control and security over our supply, and ensure price stability for consumers, while achieving our targets and becoming a world leader in renewable-electricity generation.

“Government must show leadership and take the actions required to ensure that Ireland can quickly capitalise on resources that we know are available, but cannot come online due to system blockages. 

"We know the potential – we now must have it realised.”

Marie Donnelly also drew attention to “resilience actions” the council has recommended, including infrastructure. She said: “It is important [that] planning processes are put in place to ensure new energy infrastructure is developed to withstand future projected climate impacts.

Operators 'must address flood risks'

“Operators must address known flood risks to vital infrastructure and take account of protecting and, where possible, enhancing biodiversity in their developments. 

"Building consumer confidence and understanding in electrification is also an important step. If Ireland is to grasp the opportunity in the electricity sector, then it is crucial that we bring consumers and communities with us.”

The council says the Government “must address areas of uncertainty in how Ireland will reduce its emissions” and remove barriers to policy implementation. It should do this by ensuring funding and planning reform “at scale and speed”.

The Government should also adopt new approaches to emission reductions, creating investment and enhancing skills, particularly in retrofitting and renewable energy, it added.

A just transition commission should be established to ensure that Ireland achieves its climate objectives in a way that is fair and equitable, it also stated.