SEAI Unveils approach to Long Term Energy Ambitions for Ireland

Media Release
5th November 2010

~ Energy Technology Roadmaps launched at major SEAI international energy conference ~

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) today (Friday 5th November, 2010), unveiled a series of  Energy Roadmaps for the achievement of Ireland’s ambitions in the areas of Ocean Energy, Bio-energy and Energy Efficiency by 2050.  The Roadmaps were launched at a major international energy conference in Dublin;  ‘Pathways to 2050 ‘, where keynote speakers included United States Secretary for Energy, Dr Steven Chu, and Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, Mr Nobuo Tanaka. The Roadmaps are the country’s first attempt to map out the long term opportunities in energy and carbon dioxide reduction.

Launching the Energy Roadmaps, Professor Owen Lewis, CEO of SEAI said: “In addition to outlining the significant economic potential of some key energy sectors, these Roadmaps help us understand what are the key actions required to achieve our  energy and climate goals up to 2050. The scenarios we examine in the Roadmaps will assist in informing the necessary decisions and actions about our long term ambition for sustainable energy in Ireland, about what we want to achieve, and how we achieve it.”

Highlights of the three Energy Roadmaps launched today include:

1. Ocean Energy Roadmap to 2050:

  • Potential employment opportunities of up to 70,000
  • Potential cumulative economic benefit of up to €120 billion

Analysing the growth prospects of the ocean energy industry in Ireland to 2050, this Roadmap shows the employment opportunities achievable through Irish companies exporting key technology services, and by providing expertise to the global market. The potential cumulative economic benefit to the country will stand at up to €120 billion by 2050 from factors such as electricity generated, emissions reductions, security of energy supply and regional development.

Commenting, Professor Owen Lewis said: “Ireland can genuinely become a world leader in this sector, but we need to take strong action. Key to Ireland’s opportunity in this area, will be continued support and  investment, even when the returns are yet some years away. This is a vital challenge but I believe we should take up that challenge.”

2. Bio-energy Roadmap to 2050:

  • Potential to be cornerstone of national energy requirements
  • Key role to play in sustainable rural development and employment
  • Over 11 million tonnes of CO2 can be avoided annually

The Roadmap makes clear that this is another good sector where there is undoubtedly great potential for the creation of jobs in rural Ireland.  Developing the indigenous bio-energy supply chain will contribute to energy requirements for transport, electricity generation and heat. By 2050, annual CO2 avoided through Bio-energy developments could be equivalent to emissions from today’s Irish housing stock.

3. Energy Efficiency / Residential Energy Roadmap to 2050:

  • Residential CO2emissions reduced by 90%
  • Total energy demand for the residential sector could be reduced by as much as 50%
  • By 2020, Ireland’s residential energy bill could be reduced by as much as €1 billion per annum
  • Delivery of deep retrofit measures to 2020 will support up to 10,000 installer jobs

Homes in Ireland account for more than a quarter of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. The Roadmap shows how great the saving potential is. The delivery of a strong retrofit programme over the next decade could support 10,000 Irish jobs in construction.

"The economic and employment benefits are here but it does require significant investment to achieve that. There is significant retrofitting activity underway with the support of the Government’s grant schemes, and we need to build on these further. We have to reach many more homes, and encourage deeper future-proof upgrades.” concluded Professor Lewis. 

Copies of SEAI’s 2050 Energy Roadmaps can be downloaded below:

  1. Ocean Energy Roadmap.pdf (size 592.2 KB)
  2. Bioenergy Roadmap.pdf (size 786.8 KB)
  3. Residential Energy Roadmap.pdf (size 806.4 KB)

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About SEAI:

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has a mission to play a leading role in transforming Ireland into a society based on sustainable energy structures, technologies and practices. The Authority is financed by Ireland’s EU Structural Funds Programme co-funded by the Irish Government and the European Union.

Please click here to download a copy of the press release in PDF format.

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