A new association, Ireland Electrified, has been officially launched aimed at accelerating the electrification of the country’s heating and transport sector, cutting its carbon emissions and strengthening energy security.
The move comes nearly 80 years after the launch of the Rural Electrification Scheme, which transformed Ireland into a modern economy, said the campaign group.
The launch event will be headed by the new chairperson of Ireland Electrified Donall O’Brien, who will be joined by Deputy Brian Leddin, chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment and Climate Action, and feature speakers from the IDA, the SEAI and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Interested parties can register for the event here.
The launch coincides with Ireland’s efforts to increase the amount of renewable electricity generated to power communities and build an energy system that will provide a more secure future for our families.
Ireland Electrified brings together organisations and businesses that use electricity for heat and transport, including electricity generators, technology companies, installers and manufacturers.
Major energy players in the country have already joined the group, including EM3, Mullan Grid, Bord na Mona and ESB and the association is actively seeking new members to become part of Ireland’s energy revolution.
“Ireland Electrified is an important voice which will be working to support the delivery of Government policies and of targets in the Climate Action Plan around electrification,” said Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan.
“Electricity will go from 20% of the energy system now to about 80% of the energy system in the second half of this century, allowing a far cleaner, efficient and indigenous energy system that will benefit all of our citizens.
“It is important that the industry players have a robust and united voice in the debate on how best to achieve this.”
Ireland Electrified chairperson O’Brien added: “We are excited to launch Ireland Electrified as we see it as an opportunity to bring industry together to respond to the climate emergency and to empower communities and small businesses to be leaders in our Electrification Revolution.
“A central part of any plan to cut our carbon emissions and to end our dependency on imported fossil fuels must be to electrify our heat and transport systems.
“We will be developing policies that encourage the transition away from fossil fuels and incentivise greater use of electricity, especially for heat and transport. We will be seeking quicker connections for electrification where companies can be flexible in their demand, a review of electricity pass-through costs, better utilisation of the electricity we are already producing for the grid and improved EV charging infrastructure.
“Whether it is increasing our usage of electric vehicles, electrifying public transport or installing heat pumps, we are looking for new members to join us in Ireland’s second electrification revolution.”
“We look forward to working with our members to build a collective voice that will support and shape government policy on electrification and build an Ireland decarbonised, an Ireland energised, an Ireland Electrified.”