Electric.ie January February 2020

ELECTRIC.IE • The Magazine & Website for the Irish Electrical Industry • 25 Industry News SEAI publish its annual Energy in Ireland report T he Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recently published its annual Energy in Ireland report which presents Ireland’s progress on the sustainable energy transition Overall energy demand in 2018 rose by 1.6%, linked with economic growth of 1.7% (as measured by Modified Domestic Demand). Total energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 1.2% and are now almost one fifth below 2005 levels. This was due mainly to less coal and more wind used for electricity generation. Energy use for transport and heat increased, leading to increased emissions in those sectors. The substantial transition to renewable energy sources for electricity means the carbon intensity of every unit of electricity fell to a new low (375 gCO2/kWh) and is now less than half what it was in 2000. WilliamWalsh, CEO of SEAI commented; " This report shows the progress Ireland is making in our sustainable energy transition, particularly in relation to electricity. However, while emissions from electricity decreased, emissions from how we travel and heat our homes and businesses increased. And overall, the rate of emission reductions will not keep us on track to meet our long-term decarbonisation goals" Walsh continued; “To achieve our targets, we need to tackle it in every part of society. We as citizens can play our part by reducing energy use and emissions from our homes and transport. There are a wide range of Government supports available from SEAI, which have already supported 420,000 home energy upgrades and the purchase of 8,900 electric vehicles. However, we need to continue to work together to encourage more uptake. Ireland has a significant challenge in the transport sector. For example, energy use for air travel has reached an all-time high and is now second only to private cars as a share of transport energy. This is a perfect example of the tug of war between a desire to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the one hand and the increased energy demands of an improving economy on the other.” €20 million funding for community energy upgrades in 2020 T he Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, announced a total of €20 million funding for community energy upgrades in 2020. Since 2012, the SEAI community grant scheme has supported over 400 community energy efficiency projects, resulting in 18,200 homes, and over 2,500 community, public and private buildings being upgraded. The €145 million invested to date has leveraged over €370 million overall investment in communities across the country with annual energy savings estimated to be over €65 million. Minister Bruton said; " Community partnerships are the focus of this Scheme and are crucial to delivering on our objectives as set out in the Climate Action Plan. We need to see coalitions of change built locally between the public and private sectors, residential and non-residential sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations. This builds on the work of the more than 320 energy communities in SEAI’s community network who are working towards longer term sustainable energy plans for their local areas." Applicants for the new housing retrofit project strand will be able to apply early in the New Year . All successful applicants will have a strong partnership approach and will see communities working together to deliver the proposed project. Open to both large and small projects alike, the application process is non-competitive with qualifying applications approved on a first come first served basis. Full details of the scheme, including how to apply are available at www.seai.ie