Energy in Ireland
Energy in Ireland describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in the Republic of Ireland. The Energy policy of Ireland will describe the politics of the Republic of Ireland related to energy more in detail. Electricity sector in Ireland is the main article of electricity in Ireland.
This article concerns the Republic of Ireland (Ireland).
Ireland is a net energy importer. Primary energy use in Ireland was 167 TWh and 37 TWh per million persons in 2009.[1]
ESB Group, Owned by a semi-state electricity company.
Overview
| Energy in Ireland[2] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capita | Prim. energy | Production | Export | Electricity | CO2-emission | |
| Million | TWh | TWh | TWh | TWh | Mt | |
| 2004 | 4.06 | 177 | 22 | 162 | 25.1 | 41.4 |
| 2007 | 4.36 | 175 | 16 | 165 | 27.3 | 44.1 |
| 2008 | 4.44 | 174 | 18 | 167 | 27.9 | 43.8 |
| 2009 | 4.47 | 167 | 18 | 154 | 26.9 | 39.5 |
| 2012 | 4.58 | 154 | 21 | 145 | 26.1 | 34.9 |
| 2012R | 4.59 | 154 | 15 | 138 | 26.0 | 35.6 |
| 2013 | 4.60 | 152 | 26 | 144 | 26.2 | 34.4 |
| Change 2004-09 | 10.1 % | -5.7 % | -19.5 % | -5.0 % | 7.2 % | -4.7 % |
| Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses
2012R = CO2 calculation criteria changed, numbers updated | ||||||
Fossil fuels
In "excess" of 80% of Ireland's energy needs are from imported fossil fuels, coal, gas and oil.[3]
Natural gas
Natural gas/Fossil gas fields in Ireland Include Corrib gas project and Kinsale Head gas field. Neither field is a large contributor to Ireland's supply requirements. In 2014 Ireland presently sources about 70% of its electricity from fossil gas,[3] with 95% of the supply coming from overseas.[3]
Peat
Ireland uses peat, a fuel composed of decayed plants and other organic matter which is usually found in swampy lowlands known as bogs, as energy which is not common in Europe.
Oil
The Irish oil explorer is Providence Resources, CEO Tony O'Reilly, Junior and among the main owners Tony O'Reilly with a 40% stake.[4]
Renewable energy
Renewable energy accounts for approximately 7.2% of Ireland's energy needs.
According to Irish Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte a new target of 45% renewable energy in the EU by 2030 is realistic to drive Europe out of the crisis to a strong sustainable growth path.(EWEA 2013) .[5]
Nuclear energy
While the production of electricity for the Irish national grid, by nuclear fission, is legally prohibited by Ireland under Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (Section 18).[6] The enforcement of this prohibition is naturally only possible within the borders of Ireland. Since 2012 and the completion of the electric grid interconnection between the island of Great Britain and Ireland, the Irish grid can now be partly powered by overseas nuclear fission stations.[7][8]
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ireland. |
References
- ↑ IEA Key energy statistics 2010 Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48
- ↑ IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics 2015, 2014 (2012R as in November 2015 + 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2006 IEA October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
- 1 2 3 Risk: Security of energy supplies in Ireland
- ↑ Irish oil find expected to yield 280m barrels of oil, Ireland's first offshore oilfield will yield much more oil than expected, Providence Resources said The Guardian 10 October 2012
- ↑ Fossil fuel subsidies are “public enemy number one” – IEA Chief EWEA 4 February 2013
- ↑ Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 (Section 18)
- ↑ http://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/letters/that-nukes-that-argument-233440.html
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20140721003556/http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/DD9FFC79-E1A0-41AB-BB6D-27FAEEB4D643/0/DCENRGreenPaperonEnergyPolicyinIreland.pdf page 50
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