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Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Solar continues to power growth in the renewable industry both domestically and worldwide
The Irish solar energy market has bolstered the renewable energy sector, which has otherwise been mired by planning delays and economic volatility in recent years, and the momentum is set to continue during 2025. Solar prices are expected to decrease by another 25% this year, while battery innovations transform energy storage possibilities, according to analysis from PwC. Solar has become a go-to climate action measure for both industry and households to save costs and be more sustainable as the minimum cost for PV systems comes to around €7,000 while grants cut the cost further. Despite growing demand for solar, the Irish market has proven to be a difficult one for developers as it offers among the highest developer risk profiles and longest development timelines of any territory, PwC found. This is reflected in auction prices around €104/MWh — significantly higher than European averages of €60-70/MWh. Under the current circumstances, Ireland risks missing its 2030 solar PV climate target of 8 GW by up to 2.9 GW, according to a report published by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. Ireland surpassed 1GW of solar generation connected to the grid for the first time last year and A&L Goodbody, a corporate law firm, said it expects solar generation to 'continue to expand rapidly with over 959 MW of solar projects successfully receiving offers' in the Government's fourth Renewable Energy Support Scheme (Ress) auction RESS 4. This would represent over 70% of the total offer quantity in that latest round. Meanwhile, Clonfad Solar Farm, expected to be the largest solar farm in Ireland, is currently under construction in Co. Westmeath. The project is led by Europe's largest generator of renewable energy, Statkraft, and has a potential capacity of 175 MW when operational. The development will consist of 300,000 solar panels and will create more than 250 jobs during the construction, operation and maintenance phases of the proposed project. Another European renewable industry titan, Ørsted, began construction of the first phase of its first Irish solar farm last year. Garreenleen Solar Farm is located just outside Carlow town and has the potential to power more than 29,000 homes with clean energy through 81 MW capacity. Phase 1 is set to become operational in 2026. Ørsted currently operates 378 MW of onshore wind across the island of Ireland, producing enough green power for over 246,000 homes. Ørsted's Irish headquarters are based in Cork City, where it employs over 100 people. Elsewhere, Power Capital Renewable Energy's Lysaghtstown Solar Farm in Cork is also under construction. The project has the capacity for 131 MW and is set to be operational this year. Separately, Cork is set to see a significant jump in solar capacity, as several new farms are planned for this year. In one example, a 100 MW solar farm is set to be the largest in the region, according to Irish Wind, a firm that specialises in wind turbine and solar PV installations. This promised solar farm is set to provide power to thousands of homes and boost Cork as a major economic hub. However, solar development in Ireland goes hand-in-hand with battery storage systems. Ireland only gets so much sunlight throughout the year. Ireland hit a new high for the level of energy produced by solar power in March, according to EirGrid. Without battery storage systems in place though, excess green energy produced on months like these will be lost. Rob Costello, partner, PwC. Further analysis from PwC partner Rob Costello signalled battery storage developers 'initially found Ireland's clear regulatory framework attractive,' with companies like Hanwha Energy Corporation investing over €300m. 'However, recent changes to market support mechanisms have created uncertainty around revenue streams, challenging project bankability,' he said. One solution to the battery storage issue could be the use of so-called hybrids. The Commission for the Regulation of Utilities' (CRU) second Hybrids Consultation closed in April and a successful outcome will allow onshore technologies to co-locate behind a single connection point. Hybrids enable storage of surplus solar energy for use during peak demand periods, or to complement daytime solar with nighttime wind generation, according to the Irish Solar Energy Association. 'This extends availability of renewable electricity and reduces dependency on fossil-fuel-based backup power,' said the organisation. Energy Storage Ireland currently estimates that there are 5.2 GW of operational wind and solar that could incorporate Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and extend the availability of renewable electricity. While other sources of renewable energy including onshore and offshore wind continue to decarbonise electricity supply in Ireland, it has become a laborious process to get these major projects off the ground. Wind energy developers have been severely impacted by chronic planning shortages and 'not-in-my-backyard' or NIMBY rejections. However, solar continues to attract customers, likely driven by factors such as cost and easier installation. Solar power has become the 'engine of the global energy transition,' according to a major report by not-for-profit think tank Ember. Clean power surpassed 40% of global electricity generation last year as renewables, solar in particular, witnessed record growth, the report found. The report showed solar generation has maintained its high growth rate, doubling in the last three years, and adding more electricity than any other source over that period while demand continued to soar. Surging demand for electricity was fuelled by the Tech industry, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence, data centres, electric vehicles and heat pumps. This consumption outpaced the generation of clean electricity last year. The report also found that the main reason why electricity demand growth was elevated in 2024 compared to 2023 was an increase in air conditioning use during heatwaves, as climate change continues to create unmanageable weather. 'Hotter weather drove the fossil generation increase in 2024, but we're very unlikely to see a similar jump in 2025,' said Phil MacDonald, Ember managing director. 'The world is watching how technologies like AI and EVs will drive electricity demand. It's clear that booming solar and wind are comfortably set to deliver, and those expecting fossil fuel generation to keep rising will be disappointed,' he said. Global solar power capacity reached 1 TW in 2022 after decades of growth, but reached 2 TW only two years later, in 2024.
The Journal
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Journal
Transport emissions down slightly as ‘over-reliance' on private vehicles ‘erodes progress'
TRANSPORT EMISSIONS WERE down slightly last year as an 'over-reliance on private vehicles continues to erode progress'. That's according to an interim report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which provides data on Ireland's energy use last year and how it was produced. The SEAI is Ireland's national sustainable energy authority. The interim report for 2024 found that transport emissions were down by just 1.2% year-on-year, despite 'significant' advancements in biofuel blending and progress in switching to Electric Vehicles (EVs). The SEAI warned that an 'over-reliance on private vehicles continues to erode this progress'. Margie McCarthy, Director of Research and Policy Insights cautioned that Ireland needs to 'reduce our reliance on private vehicles' to reach our climate commitments. The SEAI warned last year that Ireland is unlikely to meet its climate obligations, even under the 'most optimistic scenario'. The Government's Climate Action Plan aims to halve Ireland's emissions by 2030 and reach net-zero by no later than 2050. Ireland is also obliged to contribute to EU level targets contained within the EU Climate and Energy Framework. If Ireland falls short of its commitments to its EU targets for 2030, or any interim targets, there may be a requirement to pay compliance costs or implement mandated additional measures to close the gap. A recent report found that Ireland could face 'staggering' costs of between €8 billion and €26 billion f it misses these legally binding climate targets. 'The longer we wait to take meaningful action, the harder it will be to achieve our climate commitments,' said McCarthy. Elsewhere, Ireland's energy related emissions hit its lowest level in over 30 years, falling a further 1.3% last year. Advertisement This marks an overall decrease of 11% since carbon emissions targets were introduced in 2021 and the third consecutive year with an emissions reduction. The drop in emissions comes despite an increase in overall energy use, which grew by 2.3% last year. Increased use of bioenergy and technologies, such as solar and heat-pumps, meant that renewable energy supplied 14.5% of Ireland's energy requirements last year, a slight increase on 2023's figure of 14%. The SEAI also estimated that emissions from the electricity sector were down by 7.5% on 2023 figures. And while renewable energy capacity increased last year, renewables supplied a slightly lower share of Ireland's electricity than in 2023. The SEAI said this is due to an increase in electricity demand outpacing the increase in renewable generation, as well as grid constraints and lower wind outputs. The top three sources of electricity in Ireland last year were again natural gas (42.1%), wind (31.7%), and net-imports from interconnectors (14%). McCarthy noted that the 'changes we are making are going in the right direction' and that last year saw record levels of solar PV generation and heat pumps and further growth in overall renewable energy share. However, she cautioned that Ireland's ability to 'meaningfully grow the renewable energy share of generation' is 'challenged' by increased energy demand. 'The data shows two clear messages – if we are to meet our targets, we have no time to wait, we need to accelerate our deployment of renewable energy technologies and we have to make wise decisions on energy demand growth,' said McCarthy. She called for Ireland to continue investing in renewable technologies and interconnectors and to retrofit housing and public building stock. 'We must continue to move to more active and public transport options where possible,' she added. McCarthy said that meeting climate commitments 'will require a collective commitment' and that 'driving and supporting climate action at a national and local level is needed'. 'As individuals, we need to embrace renewable technologies and energy efficiency efforts, reduce our reliance on private vehicles and think more about how we are using our heat and electricity. 'On a policy level, we need to grow investment in renewable and grid technologies to increase our renewable energy outputs.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
20-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Energy-related greenhouse gas emissions at lowest level in 30 years
Greenhouse gas emissions from Ireland's usage of energy are now at their lowest level for more than 30 years after falling for a third consecutive year. The reduction was 1.3% in 2024. This means energy emissions in Ireland are now 11% lower than when carbon emissions targets were introduced in 2021. Director of Research and Policy Insights at the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, Margie McCarthy, said this is something to celebrate and means Ireland is going in the right direction. Last year, saw record levels of electricity generated from solar panels, record levels of heat pumps, and further growth in the overall renewable energy share. Ms McCarthy said these achievements were all driven by positive policy decisions. However, the SEAI said the trend towards lower emissions must be accelerated for Ireland to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets. These latest figures are contained in the Interim National Energy Balance report. This shows how energy used across all sectors in Ireland is generated and how that is changing. Overall, for 2024, emissions from electricity and transport went down, while heat-related emissions went up. The figures show that the 1.3% reduction in energy emissions last year was achieved despite a 2.3% increase in overall energy use. Renewable energy generation increased by 1.3 terawatts or 5.6%. This drove the proportion of Ireland's overall energy from renewable sources to 14.5%. Increased electricity demand, driven mainly by data centres, outpaced the increase in renewable electricity generation last year. Because of this, renewables supplied a slightly smaller share of Ireland's electricity even though renewable generation capacity had increased. Constraints on the electricity grid and lower wind output also played a part. Overall emissions from the electricity sector were down by 7.5%. The top three sources of electricity were natural gas, which supplied 42.1%; wind, which supplied 31.7%; and net imports of electricity through interconnectors from the UK, which supplied 14% of all electricity used in Ireland. Ms McCarthy said there are two clear messages from the data. The first is that if Ireland is to meet its energy emissions targets, there is no time to wait, and the deployment of renewable energy technologies must be accelerated. The second is that wise decisions about energy demand growth must be made. "It's time to make the hard choice needed to deliver a better energy future", she said. "We must continue to invest in renewable technologies and interconnectors, we must continue to retrofit our housing and public building stock, and we must continue to move to more active and public transport options where possible." "A successful energy transition will benefit us all. It will mean improved air quality, more comfortable homes, and an economy built on sustainable industries and jobs", she added. Greenhouse gas emissions from transport in Ireland fell just 1.2% last year. This was despite significant increases in the amounts of biofuel blended into petrol and diesel and further increases in the number of electric vehicles on the road. The SEAI said over-reliance on private vehicles continues to erode progress on transport emissions. Meanwhile, heating emissions increased by 2.4% last year.
The Journal
19-05-2025
- The Journal
'A huge relief': Man who feared fine or jail time over insulation added to house receives planning permission
A MAN WHO was threatened with jail or a €5,000 fine for retrofitting his home has been granted retrospective planning permission. Clive Ryan had put new insulation in the wall at the front of his home in Kilnamanagh in the Ballymount area of Dublin in 2018. Earlier this year , he received a letter from South Dublin County Council telling him that he had to 'cease and discontinue the use of the insulation' and to 'remove the insulation and, in so far as is practicable, reinstate the facade to its condition prior to the commencement of the development'. Otherwise, under the terms of the Planning and Development Act 2000, he could face a fine which can reach up to €5,000, or even a jail term for up to six months. He had received a grant worth more than €4,000 to help pay for the costs from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. The other €13,000 came from his own pocket. 'Huge relief' With the help of councillors, Ryan applied for planning permission, which has since been granted. He said it's a 'huge relief'. Ryan believes the publicity around his case, as well as the support of local representatives, ultimately helped him. 'We tried ourselves and I don't think we would've got any further with it … I was down an avenue I'd never been.' Advertisement Ryan says, despite the arduous process to get planning permission, he still recommends people retrofit their homes. 'I think it's brilliant,' he said. 'It brought down our bills significantly.' When Ryan spoke to The Journal in March, he said he found the case 'baffling', explaining that while the insulation expanded the facade of the house, it is not visible when looking at the home. 'It probably moves the house forward a few inches – that's what the insulation does. But that's the only logical thing I can come up with. 'The rest of the house is done like every other house. The insulation is just around the window. It's not a new structure, we tried to finish it as neat and as clean as we could.' While some forms of insulation and solar panels are exempt from planning permission, the situation with insulation for external walls is not so cut and dried. The Green Party is calling on the government to introduce further planning exemptions. 'It's hard enough for people to take time out of their busy lives to begin the process of a home retrofit. Government, including local councils, should be making it as easy as possible,' a spokesperson said. As well as the planning exemption, Green Party want specific grants tailored for neighbours to retrofit together, to speed up retrofitting around the country and lower household energy bills. Mark Lynch, a Green Party councillor for the Rathfarnham-Templeogue area said it needs to be made 'as easy as possible' for people to retrofit their homes. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Transport chiefs seek research firm to come up with ideas to make electric cars more attractive to public
Transport chiefs are to spend €130,000 on analysing how to make moving to an electric vehicle (EV) more attractive to the general population. The Department of Transport has tendered for a supplier to analyse how best to move 30% of Ireland's fleet of non-commercial vehicles to electric by 2030 subject to ongoing 'resource constraints'. The department holds responsibility for implementing a sustainable transport infrastructure in Ireland 'to support growth and social progress'. While Ireland has seen an overall ramping-up in the use of EVs over the past decade, people seeking to make the jump to electric have also faced barriers such as the assumption they are for the more affluent in terms of the cost and rapid depreciation in value of battery-powered vehicles, and in the relatively poor nature of Ireland's public charging network. Some €500m was allocated via the National Development Plan between 2021 and 2025 for the provision of a 'comprehensive, publicly accessible' charging network for EVs. The Department of Transport, meanwhile, currently operates with an annual budget of €3.9bn, a €480m increase on the funding provided for 2024. In tender documents for the new project, the Department of Transport noted while there were currently more than 166,000 EVs on Ireland's roads, the overall market share of sales for such cars fell from 19% in 2023 to 14% in 2024, suggesting a cooling-off in public enthusiasm for greener vehicles. The department said it was seeking to identify a research and analytics company to carry out 'data analysis' with a view to preparing tests for various measures which could be used to encourage the transition to EVs. 'The aim is to identify the factors or categories of factors that are thought to most influence car-purchasing behaviour in terms of EV vs internal combustion engine purchasing,' the department said, with the overall goal of identifying 'the most effective deployment of resources in order to deliver the largest uplift in EV sales'. The task will involve analysing 'sentiment' towards EVs on social media and news platforms from a year prior to the noted drop in sales to the current date, the tender said. The successful tenderer will have eight months to devise an 'optimisation strategy' for EVs on the back of the aforementioned analysis, with a further 25 months then allocated to evaluating the results of that strategy. Grants can currently be accessed for the purchase of an EV from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, with a maximum of €3,500 per vehicle. Minister for transport Darragh O'Brien noted earlier this year that shared charging points between homes, targeted incentives for taxi drivers, and grants for electric motorcycles were all being considered as options with a view to speeding up the nationwide move to EVs. Last year, motorists in Cork told the Irish Examiner that issues holding back their transition to driving an EV included range anxiety, worries about dangers presented by the powerful batteries used in such vehicles, and a shortage of charging points around the country. Read More Essential electric vehicle tips for Irish road trips and motorway driving
