The energy sector in Ireland currently employs 45,000. Our annual energy bill approaches IR£3 billion (e3.8 billion). Ireland had remarkable levels of growth in energy consumption in the last 20 years. This has derived from economic growth which has surpassed all expectations, especially in recent years.
With rising fuel costs, opening of electricity and gas markets to alternate suppliers and climate change, the requirement to monitor and reduce energy consumption is receiving greater attention than ever before in Irish business.
Energy should be regarded as a business cost similar to other business costs including raw material and labour. The effort required to manage energy effectively will vary between companies and depends on the company size, energy costs and energy intensity (energy costs expressed as a percentage of total company costs).
Renewable sources of energy offer sustainable alternatives to our dependency on fossil fuels, a means of reducing harmful greenhouse emissions and opportunities to reduce our reliance on imported fuels. For these reasons, Irish and European policy supports the increased use of renewable energy. Renewable energy from sources such as the wind, the sun, wood, waste and water are abundantly available in Ireland. Several renewable energy technologies are now commercially viable and capable of supplying clean, economical heat and power.
The development of renewable energy in Ireland is influenced by policy in a number of areas. Among the objectives of Irish energy policy is the development of native resources and ensuring security of energy supply. At present, Ireland imports about 70% of its total energy requirement, and this figure is likely to rise to 90% in about five years, when the Kinsale natural gas supply becomes exhausted.
The National Development Plan has made funding provision of €223M to support implementation of the Government's sustainable energy policy through Sustainable Energy Ireland. Under this policy, a €12m programme of support for research, development and demonstration on renewable sources of energy and related topics was made available.