The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has today (Nov 4) published its National Energy Projections 2024 report which explores future trends for energy use in Ireland. The results provide an assessment of how we are likely to perform against our national Climate Action Plan and EU climate and energy targets, accounting for factors such as economic growth and Government energy policies.
The report finds that there are significant projected gaps to all legally binding targets including national carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings, and EU obligations on renewable energy, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.
The report identifies a severe risk of delayed achievement of Climate Action Plan targets, including for renewable electricity, biomethane, electric vehicles, district heating, heat pumps and building energy efficiency upgrades. If even some of these risks materialise it would result in certain target failure, increased energy demand, less renewable energy, and higher greenhouse gas emissions.
The report notes that even with a massively scaled effort for technology deployment across all sectors, it is now likely too late to meet our legally binding 2030 obligations at EU and national levels. As a result, unprecedented technology change must be combined with strong policies and measures to limit growth in energy demand and disincentivise behaviours and practices that incur wasteful energy use in all parts of society.
SEAI CEO, William Walsh said:
"SEAI's latest Energy Projections report finds projected gaps still remain in our legally binding national and EU climate action obligations for 2030. While we have made some good progress on energy-related emissions, we are far from being on track for success. Even if we achieve the most optimistic scenario detailed in this report, and hit all Climate Action Plan targets, it is likely that gaps to our energy and climate obligations will remain. A significant expansion of incentives, information and regulation is required to enable us to comply with legally binding climate and energy obligations to 2030 and beyond".
"We must begin to embrace measures that will allow us to meet our personal and societal needs at reduced rates of energy consumption. We need to invest in infrastructure and services that support people to live more energy efficient lifestyles, building a policy environment that paves the way for sustainable circular economy goods and services. We must also be prepared to disincentivise wasteful business and consumer behaviours."
SEAI delivers the National Energy Projections annually, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
