Decarbonised electricity system study

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SEAI is leading a multi-year study to explore pathways to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the Irish electricity system and the economic impacts of doing so.

Introduction

The 2023 Climate Action Plan sets a target of meeting 80% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030. Beyond this, a pathway to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity system in Ireland has yet to be defined. The Department of Environment, Climate and Communications has asked SEAI to lead on developing an evidence-based pathway, or choice of robust alternative pathways, for decarbonising the Irish electricity system after 2030. SEAI will develop the pathway based on rigorous research and engaging with a wide cohort of stakeholders to build consensus. 

Work plan

There are multiple stages to this study, with outputs scheduled between 2024 and the end of 2026.  Broadly, the study will progress as follows: 

  1. Assess electricity generation, storage and services technologies for inclusion in power sector portfolios based on their performance against economic, technical, environmental and social criteria in the Irish context. 
  2. Develop power sector technology portfolios weighted to achieve strategic national and public priorities as inputs to techno-economic modelling. 
  3. Assess the direct electricity system impacts, and coupled energy sector impacts, of different decarbonisation scenarios. 
  4. Quantify the total investment and operational cost of pursuing alternative power sector decarbonisation pathways, and the economic impacts on the electricity market and consumers. 

Stakeholder engagement

Extensive cooperation with diverse stakeholders will be key to success. SEAI will convene a stakeholder engagement process to inform the technical work. In Q4 2023, we commenced this process by establishing a Working Group to direct and critique the initial work. This group serves as a first tier for scoping the programme of work, and legitimating the research objectives, decisions and methods within key state agencies, including the Department for Environment Climate and Communications (DECC), the power system operators (Eirgrid and ESB Networks), the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), the National Treasury Management Agency. 

In Q2 2025, SEAI will establish: 

  • a Stakeholder Forum to incorporate the views of a wide range of stakeholders, both within the power sector and closely related sectors affected by the decarbonization of the power sector. It will largely consist of thematic or problem-based workshops to resolve underpinning issues where specialist judgement or data is needed to progress analysis.
  • a Scientific Advisory Committee to review specialised research outputs and ensure technical excellence of the commissioned work 

Further information: 

Terms of Reference for the Stakeholder Forum  

Open invitation for expressions of interest to serve on the Stakeholder Forum

Expressions of interest must be submitted by 7 July. 

Further information on the Scientific Advisory Committee will be available in June, 2025. 

Register your interest

If you would like to stay abreast of the Decarbonised Electricity System Study (DESS) through a quarterly newsletter or have any questions for the SEAI project management team, please complete the form here [ insert link: https://forms.office.com/e/gbkTPFXTUC ] 

Register

Study outputs