AmCham Launches White Paper: ‘Unlocking Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential’

The development and rollout of district heating could increase Ireland’s energy security and help meet targets for the decarbonisation of heating.

This was a key message outlined in AmCham’s White Paper: ‘Unlocking Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential', which was launched this week.

The Paper notes that Ireland is already well positioned to utilise district heating as part of its energy supply due to the large number of data centres with operations here. It said: “Residual heat created by data centres can be harnessed through district heating and thus supply other buildings, resulting in lower heating costs, lower heat waste and greater decarbonisation of Ireland’s heating systems.”

In fact, the report highlights that a networked district heating system in Ireland has the potential to meet the demand of 50 percent of all buildings in Ireland today. With more than 90 percent of Ireland’s heat demand being met through fossil fuels in 2023, this would be significant in terms of meeting Ireland’s climate targets.

Further, introducing widespread district heating via underground pipelines would improve heat security, as this infrastructure is less vulnerable to weather or physical damage.

Key recommendations outlined in the White paper to support this rollout include, developing and implementing a National District Heating Strategy and accompanying regulatory measures to support the rapid deployment of district heating in Ireland.

‘Unlocking Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential’ also highlighted the opportunities that an enhanced private wires framework would have in Ireland.

“Building on the Cabinet’s recent approval of reforms to private wire regulations, and by facilitating the introduction of private wires as a means of energy generation and usage, Ireland can increase the level of public-private cooperation in the energy sector.”

The report noted that existing complexity and costs associated with the private wires connection process are having a “significant impact on FDI and the ability of business to grow their Irish operations.” In this regard, AmCham has recommended that the Electricity Regulation Act be amended to facilitate the use of private wires and that the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities is adequately resourced to engage with industry to develop the role of private wires in Ireland’s energy system.

AmCham’s White Paper also calls for multi-site businesses to be enabled to develop private wire networks to share renewable energy across their operations, and for policy changes to allow generation sites to connect to consumers across third-party roads or land, which can be done with limited policy interventions.

While ‘Unlocking Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential’, outlines the importance of enhancing Ireland’s overall energy system in areas including grid infrastructure and planning reform, it it emphasises that progress depends on strong coordination between Government, regulators and industry.

AmCham recommends establishing a dedicated Government unit with responsibility for energy infrastructure development, ensuring cross-Departmental alignment and providing a single point of engagement for industry.

AmCham’s White Paper emphasises that Ireland already has the natural resources, innovation capability and business environment required to become a global leader in renewable energy. By acting now, Ireland can reduce energy costs, strengthen resilience, attract investment and accelerate its path to a low-carbon future.

You can read AmCham’s full White Paper ‘Unlocking Ireland’s Renewable Energy Potential’ here