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Wednesday 29 November 2023 Dublin: 1°C

# Energy

Last week
19th November 2023 - 25th November 2023
Gas and oil industry faces ‘moment of truth’ ahead of COP28, report states
The report says the industry’s emissions need to drop by 60% by 2030 to keep global warning to an increase of 1.5 degrees “within reach”.
This month
November 2023
Poll: Do you struggle to pay your energy bills?
An Oireachtas committee will hear today that thousands of households and businesses are behind on their gas and electricity bills.
Last month
October 2023
Energy supply likely to fall short of winter demand, but by narrower margin than last year
The system is expected to be put under alerts but a system-wide blackout is seen as unlikely.
Plans for new deep-water port in Co Meath unveiled
The port will also be equipped with facilities to generate offshore wind and hydrogen energy.
Budget 2024: Some changes kicked in at midnight - others won't take effect for quite a while
A report by
Muiris O'Cearbhaill
Here’s what you need to know.
The changes announced yesterday included tweaks to the USC and tax bands, tax reliefs for landlords, social welfare hikes and an increase in the minimum wage.
Here are the new measures that have already kicked in or been extended - and what to expect in the months to come.
All households to receive €450 in energy credits over winter months
Meanwhile, the temporary reduction in the VAT rate on gas and electricity will remain in place for another 12 months.
This year
2023
Energy security review to find 'short-term' back-up gas storage needed for Ireland
A report by
Lauren Boland and Christina Finn
A report into the energy market’s pricing strategies will also be published today.
ESB Group reports 30% rise in profits to €676 million in first six months of the year
The state-owned energy company said its profits from the start of the year to 30 June had increased by €157 million compared to the same period last year.
An Bord Pleanála rejects application to construct Shannon LNG terminal
US corporation New Fortress Energy had been seeking permission to build the facility on the Shannon Estuary.
Number of home retrofits up 150% from last year
The scrapping of VAT on solar panels has contributed to a significant increase in their installation in Irish homes.
Wind energy use has increased while gas consumption fell by 20%, Gas Networks Ireland reveal
Gas Networks Ireland said that wind energy had one of its strongest Julys on record – generating 35% of all electricity in the State.
Tax package, energy and business supports to form part of October's giveaway budget
This year’s budget takes place on 10 October.
Energy supports for families and businesses to form part of Budget 2024
The Taoiseach says energy bills are not falling fast enough.
Finance Minister says final ‘mix’ of energy support not yet decided
Michael McGrath also said the Government expects consumers to see the benefit of “what have been dramatic falls in wholesale energy prices”.
Ireland relied on buying 'credits' to reach climate and energy targets - EU audit
A report by the European Court of Auditors examined countries’ performance against 2020 targets and progress towards 2030.
Wholesale electricity prices drop 26.6% in year, but consumers still mightn't see decrease in bills yet
CSO figures show that there has been a decrease of 16.2% in wholesale electricity prices in the month to May of this year.
The Explainer: What is hydrogen power, and could it replace coal, oil, and gas?
James Carton, assistant professor in Sustainable Energy with DCU and an academic advisor to the United Nations on hydrogen, joins us on this week’s podcast to discuss this lesser spotted form of energy. How do you make it? Where could it be used instead of fossil fuels? Could it be part of a clean energy future, or does it amount to simply greenwashing?
Data centres consumed 31% more electricity last year compared to 2021
Ireland currently has 75 data centres in operation and last year they accounted for 18% of the country’s electricity use.
Electricity consumption by the data centre sector rose by 31% between 2021 and 2022
Data centres used as much electricity as all urban dwellings combined last year
Electricity consumption in the industry has gone up by 400% since the beginning of 2015
Engineering company plans to create 700 jobs in Limerick over next five years
Drilling for Data: Growing energy needs fuelling rise in data centre emissions
North Sea Summit: Ireland and UK need to cooperate on offshore wind energy, says Eamon Ryan
A report by
Lauren Boland
Nine countries have agreed to ramp up capacity for harnessing offshore wind to generate power.
Should we use data centres to heat our homes - or is it greenwashing?
The waste heat from data centres can be used for climate-friendly heating systems – but data centres are major energy consumers.
Germany to power down its last nuclear reactors today
The country is exiting atomic power even as it seeks to wean itself off fossil fuels and manage an energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine.
VAT rate on supply and installation of solar panels to be abolished
The move is expected to be signed off by the Government this week.
Ryan says windfall tax will help with electricity bills, but fails to commit to more energy credits
It is intended that the legislation would be enacted before the summer recess and first proceeds are expected to be collected in September.
'Brexit pubs guarantee' and free childcare, what was in the UK's Budget?
The UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer has frozen the duty on draught pints and promised up to 30 hours per week of free childcare for eligible households.
Finance minister tells energy companies to 'treat customers equally' and reduce household bills
Senior members of government have said another energy credit is a possibility in winter if prices have not fallen.
Coveney: Electric Ireland 'should answer questions' on price cut for businesses and not households
The energy provider announced that energy bills would decrease for businesses from Wednesday, but not for residential customers.
Electric Ireland to cut business' bills from Wednesday but no change for households
An average decrease of 10% is set to take effect on electricity bills for small and medium enterprises.
Darragh O'Brien says other energy companies should follow Pinergy's example and cut prices
The change, which kicks in on 31 March, will result in a 7.1% decrease to the typical household cost.
2022 among 'most challenging' years for energy sector, watchdog to tell politicians
The Commission for Regulation of Utilities will also outline the impact of the electricity sector on reducing customer debt.
Deadline for Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme being extended past tomorrow
Claims in relation to energy bills for September 2022 had been required to be submitted by tomorrow.
Cumbersome grant system holding some back from solar PV uptake, says expert
The chair of the Micro-Renewable Energy Federation likened the experience of securing a grant to a “bureaucratic nightmare”.
Price of wholesale electricity 93.2% higher than in November, CSO figures show
The price of electricity in December 2022 was 10.4% higher than December 2021.
Last year
2022
Uneasy calm grips Ukraine as West prepares winter aid
The head of Nato has said Russian President Vladimir Putin is attempting to weaponise the coming cold season.
Cabinet green lights windfall tax on energy companies
Revenue above a certain cap will be collected and used to support consumers facing expensive bills.
Cabinet expected to sign off on windfall tax on electricity companies
A memo will be brought to Cabinet tomorrow seeking to introduce a cap on market revenue on non-gas electricity generators.
As winter approaches, not all energy bill 'hardship funds' are created equal
The Journal asked a number of energy companies if like Electric Ireland, they too had set up hardship funds for customers in need.
EU announces €500 million energy support package for Western Balkans
The EU Commission chief is set to visit Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia in the coming days
Analysis: Energy insecurity and our fracking future
The Irish Academy of Engineering has said the government’s report on Ireland’s energy security is “seriously flawed”.
Paschal Donohoe says data centres could not be excluded from energy scheme
The Finance Minister rounded on people who “want to chase data centres out of Ireland”.
1,000 disconnections in first half of this year as minister promises action plan in weeks
Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty says 450,000 PAYG customers are being abandoned by Government.