Urgent action across power, transport, building and industry sectors is needed in Ireland if it is to meet its emissions reduction targets, a new report from Renewable Energy Ireland says.
The industry body launched a strategy today detailing how the country can achieve more clean, secure and affordable energy in order to reduce carbon emissions.
It identifies a number of actions that are needed to accelerate progress in the development of renewables technologies across the country.
These include utilizing current legislation to instruct An Bord Pleanála to prioritise planning applications for renewable and grid infrastructure as well as simplifying administrative and regulatory requirements for energy efficiency, renewable heat and storage technologies.
It also outlines the need to deliver a flexible grid system and to encourage low and no carbon transport options electric Vehicles, enhanced public mobility and cycling infrastructure while also making use of biofuels and green hydrogen.
Industry, government and other key stakeholders need to bring themselves together to identify ways to cut the price of renewable energy in Ireland so that they can deliver clean energy at the lowest possible price for consumers, the report adds.
Renewable Energy Ireland chair Tanya Harrington said: “If Ireland is to meet its twin objectives of achieving energy security and net zero we need to urgently remove the remaining barriers to the faster deployment of renewable energy.
“The strategy we have published today outlines how we can achieve more clean, secure and affordable energy for Ireland but we know this can only be done by working together with policymakers, industry and communities across Ireland.
“Ireland is one of the most fossil-fuel dependant countries in Europe spending over 1 million euros every hour on fossil-fuels this year alone.
“With Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels leaving us exposed to international geopolitical events and record high energy prices driven by fossil fuels worsening the cost of living crisis, immediate policy action is required to reduce emissions across all sectors of the economy.”