The International Energy Agency (IEA) has updated its 2007 analysis of Ireland's energy policies with a 2012 review, which finds that Ireland has continued reforms toward a low-carbon economy in spite of economic downturn, contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
Recommendations focus on decarbonizing the economy, consolidating energy security, improving infrastructure planning and deepening regional integration.
11 July 2012: As part of its series on the energy policies of member countries, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published a 2012 review of Ireland’s policies and challenges. It contains: a policy analysis, reviewing general energy policy, climate change and energy efficiency; a sector analysis, reviewing electricity, renewable energy, natural gas, coal and peat and oil; and an energy technology analysis, reviewing energy research, development and demonstration.
The report also contains key recommendations and an executive summary, which discusses decarbonizing the economy, consolidating energy security, improving infrastructure planning and deepening regional integration.
Providing updated information since the last review in 2007, the 2012 report indicates that Ireland has implemented significant changes to its energy policies and has continued reforms toward a low-carbon economy in spite of its economic downturn. IEA also finds that Ireland’s focus on energy efficiency, and its investments in energy-related research and development have helped to reduce its carbon footprint.
IEA recommends that the Government of Ireland, inter alia: continue to encourage diversification and flexibility of gas supply; maintain funding support to develop and deploy new low-carbon technologies; and enhance the energy regulator’s powers to ensure adherence to market and competition rules and to protect the interests of consumers. [IEA Press Release] [Publication: Energy Policies of IEA Countries – Ireland]