Energy
Global Wind Day – an opportunity to celebrate our Success
June 15th, 2010Tokyo, 15th June 2010
Ireland has made major progress in wind energy in the past three years.
In 2007, I increased Ireland’s 2020 target for renewable energy in electricity to 40%. Ireland has surpassed its 2010 15% target and is well on track to meet 40%.
The majority of Ireland’s renewable energy is derived from wind. The latest [...]
Renewable Energy Study Welcome
June 11th, 2010Dublin, 11th June 2010
The Facilitation of Renewables studies, published by independent transmission operator EirGrid is welcome. Following eighteen months of analysis; the reports demonstrate the technological and operational developments needed to deliver increased renewable energy in Ireland.
“Our All Island Grid Study has already shown that Ireland can obtain at least 40% electricity from renewables by [...]
Decrease in energy prices makes Ireland more competitive
May 26th, 2010The Eurostat data shows recent reductions in electricity and gas prices are bringing Ireland’s energy costs closer in line with and, in some cases below European averages.
Sustained lower wholesale gas prices coupled with Government actions and policy are new delivering real and measurable benefits to energy consumers through increased competition and lower prices.
Electricity and gas [...]
Major progress in renewable energy in Ireland
May 26th, 2010“We have already surpassed our targets”
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland report shows that last year Ireland generated 14.5% of its electricity from renewable sources. Our target for 2010 was 15%, which EirGrid tell me has already been reached.
“I have always said that our targets will not be the limits of our ambition and this [...]
Green Light for Electric Motoring
May 24th, 2010• Irish Government, ESB and Mitsubishi Motors, MC (Automobile) Europe and MMC Commercials sign a Memorandum of Understanding to further promote e-car industry
• ESB announces first e-car trial programme for Ireland in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin
• Mitsubishi Motors identify Ireland as ideal test environment and announce the supply of electric cars for the trial
The [...]
New Government support price for bio-energy
May 24th, 2010- New price will allow connection of over 200 MegaWatts of renewable electricity to the national grid
- Businesses can produce their own electricity and sell surplus to the grid
- Price will be a boost to the rural economy
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced the Government’s new support price structure for bio-energy i.e. use of natural [...]
Carbon Windfall Levy to be Introduced
May 5th, 2010A Carbon Windfall Levy on electricity generators will shortly be introduced. The legislation will be introduced as part of the Biofuels Obligation Bill, currently going through final stages in the Oireachtas.
Under the Kyoto Carbon Trading provisions, electricity generators have been provided free carbon credits in preparation for full carbon-trading post-2012. Generators have been able to [...]
37 high-end jobs in new €15m research centre in Cork
April 26th, 2010The Government announced that United Technologies Corporation is to establish a unique energy and security research centre in Ireland creating 37 new jobs over the next four years through a €15 million investment. The investment is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.
The proposed research agenda is based on two main research themes – [...]
Electricity Grid Progress
April 22nd, 2010Dublin, 22nd April 2010
Eirgrid recently announced its progress on the upgrade to the national grid with creation of up to 300 new jobs over the next five years.
Ultimately, the grid must be built. While we have met our 15% target for renewables and reached second or third place in Europe in terms of integration of [...]
More Good News for Electricity Customers
April 21st, 2010Dublin, 21 April 2010
The Commission for Energy Regulations’ decision to further deregulate the electricity market is an important step on the path to developing a fully competitive electricity market in Ireland.
This announcement follows on a reduction in prices for domestic consumers of as much as 25% last year.
Consumers and businesses are already feeling the positive [...]
Electric cars a reality for Ireland
April 12th, 2010Dublin, 12th April 2010
€5,000 incentive for electric vehicles
3,500 charge points and 30 fast charge points
Renault-Nissan Alliance to provide Ireland with supply of electric cars
The Agreement includes the development of a nationwide electric car charging infrastructure by ESB, the supply of electric cars by the Renault-Nissan Alliance from 2011, as well as Government policies and incentives [...]
Electric vehicle charge points launched
March 26th, 2010Dublin, 26th March 2010
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan and ESB Chief Executive, Padraig McManus, today launched the country’s first Electric Vehicle charge points.
The charge points were unveiled in Dublin city centre and mark the beginning of a nationwide infrastructure that will revolutionise transport in Ireland. Charge points will eventually be installed in homes, on-street and along [...]
Biofuels Law presented to the Oireachtas
February 9th, 2010Dublin 9 February 2010
With effect from July this year, the Bill will place an obligation on fuel suppliers to ensure that biofuels comprise 4% of their supplies. The scheme will be administered by the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) at no cost to the Exchequer.
It is an important departure for the motor and biofuels industries [...]
Gas price reduction
February 8th, 2010Latest reductions will bring total savings to approximately 30% by February
Dublin, 8th February 2009
Commission for Energy Regulation’s published proposed gas tariffs to apply in February next year. The CER propose an average reduction of 8% for residential and small industrial customers.
The tariff reduction is largely due to lower gas prices than originally forecast and exchange [...]
Green Tax Incentive benefits Irish business
February 4th, 2010Dublin, 4th February 2010
The Accelerated Capital Allowance Scheme detailed in the Finance Bill, allows companies to buy energy efficient equipment and write off its full cost against corporation tax in the year of purchase.
Introduced in 2008, the Scheme has been expanded this year to include up to forty different technologies. All Irish business, large and [...]